A/N: With this season getting closer and closer to the end, I have a bit more of a drive to keep working on it. I'd like to get the whole thing finished by May or June, but it could even be earlier if school doesn't keep me super busy. Plus the fact that the episodes will be getting a bit shorter due to fewer contestants being there should help.
"Last time on Total Drama House Party..." Hatchet stood in the foyer for the recap. "We had our obligatory horror challenge for the season, as the houseguests had to escape the ghost of Horatio McLean, who, as it turned out, was just a hobo, which is almost as scary. Since the time ran out before everyone could get caught, Rachel and Ernie both ended up with Invincibility, forcin' everyone to figure out a new target. The vote seemed to be goin' against David, but after Sonamjit caught Bailey with her big alliance, the chubby girl was deemed a threat and voted out! It's the final seven, and it seems like anythin' can happen! Will Franklin maintain control with his biggest ally gone? Will Rachel's broken arm lead to her downfall? Will Mac be any more than a joke? Find out ya fool! Only on Total! Drama! HOUSE PARTY!"
David and Erica woke up the next morning in the backyard.
"Tch. This is something I definitely didn't miss," Erica grumbled.
"Eh, after the second or third time in a row, you grow used to it," David shrugged. "Since the merge happened, I've slept out here more often than I haven't."
"At the very least there's a shady spot where I won't get skin cancer by sleeping there," Erica conceded.
"So, would you have not signed up if this wasn't a mostly indoors season?" David asked.
"Pretty much," Erica answered. "Hell, Playground of Pain challenges push it. I always put on sunblock before one of those challenges."
"Interesting," David said.
"Wait, why do you care?" Erica asked.
"I mean, you're the first albino person I've met," David said. "I know basically nothing about how it works."
"Well I just realized that I can't stand you, so you'll have to Google it after the game or something," Erica said.
"Uh, okay then," David said.
Confessional:
David: I'm not sure if I did something to personally offend her, or if she's just this crabby with most people, but I don't think Erica cares too much for me. Oh well, it's not like I need her. Mac, Sonam and I are a tight three, and in the final seven, that's worth a lot. I think.
Erica: Part of me wants to keep up Bailey's alliance so I have security in the game, but another part of me really doesn't care and wants to get this game over with. Eh, whatever. Ernie's lasted this long with so few allies, so why the hell can't I?
Mac, Sonamjit, and Franklin all woke up in the basement.
Franklin sighed as he stood up and wordlessly left towards the door.
"What's wrong with him?" Mac asked.
"What do you think...?" Sonamjit asked sarcastically.
Mac thought about it. "Oh. He's probably upset that we voted out Bailey."
Sonamjit facepalmed as Franklin froze in place.
"What?" Mac asked innocently.
"I knew it," Franklin growled. "I knew you weren't to be trusted, Sonam!"
"Hey, lay off her!" Mac defended. "It was Bailey or David, and David's our friend and ally!"
"See, that's the thing. Sonam was supposed to be my ally," Franklin said coldly. "I could forgive you being rude to Bailey. I could even forgive you playing two alliances because believe me, I knew. But voting out Bailey... that's where I draw the line."
"Whatever..." Sonamjit said. "People get... voted out... it's all... part of the game..."
"Oh is it?!" Franklin snapped. "Because if I recall, this whole... this, this thing you're doing. With the emo shit. That's all because you got voted out! And you have the audacity to tell me to get over it because it's just a goddamn game!"
"Hey, you don't know Sonam!" Mac shouted back. "For all you know, she could have a very good reason for this!"
"You're right, I don't know Sonam," Franklin said. "But I do know a hypocrite when I see one. And I won't stand for it."
"Tch... See if I care..." Sonamjit scoffed.
"Mark my words, Sonamjit Singh. You will the next person to go home," Franklin threatened.
"I'm... so scared..." Sonamjit snarked.
Confessional:
Mac: Dude, Franklin needs to hit the pharmacy, because I think his prescription on chill pills is running out. I mean, it's not like he was the one who got voted out.
Sonamjit: Franklin's... just scared... that he's going... to lose... which he will... if he keeps this attitude up...
Ernie and Rachel both left their first place rooms at the same time.
"Morning," Rachel greeted.
"Eh, morning, Rach," Ernie responded tiredly.
"What is this, your second time in first class in a row?" Rachel asked. "You've become quite the challenge threat, haven't you?"
"Eh, both were probably flukes," Ernie said. "I doubt we're, like, going to get another trial challenge or another hiding challenge. Matter of fact, it'll probably be a Playground challenge today. Been a couple days since we've had one of those, ya know?"
"Yeah, probably," Rachel agreed. "I wonder if I'll be able to participate in this one."
"Probably won't make a huge difference, honestly," Ernie said bluntly. "I don't really see you winning any physical challenges anytime soon."
"Yeah, good point," Rachel sighed. "Even without a broken arm... I'm still weak."
"Physically, yeah," Ernie said. "Mentally, I'm not so sure. Socially, definitely not."
"Huh?" Rachel asked.
"Like, you're no challenge beast or anything, but I've, like, had my money on you as a winner for a while now," Ernie confessed. "'Course, people see you as a threat, which could result in your elimination, so who knows?"
"The same could be said about you," Rachel grinned.
"Perhaps," Ernie nodded. "Say, what are your feelings on Erica?"
"I think she daydreams about brutally gruesome ways to torture and kill me," Rachel said. "I'm not a huge fan of her, either."
"Tsk. Shame," Ernie said. "I was hoping to get an alliance of three with you two. Erica and I already made a deal last night."
"I'll think about it. I really will," Rachel said. "Though I'm probably not the one you need to convince that this is a good idea."
"Yeah, good point," Ernie chuckled.
Confessional:
Rachel: This is and always has been a numbers game. Being a part of two alliances of three would be incredibly beneficial for me. Thing is, Erica is in one of those alliances. Then again, if Nolan could be aligned with Barry but not me, who's to say I can't be aligned with Ernie but not Erica?
Ernie: The trick is to seem as non-threatening as possible while still, like, doing what you can to stay alive in the game. Sure, a certain someone wants me gone, but that's more of a personal vendetta than anything. Everyone else sees me as that lazy kid who's just kinda lucky, which is more than fine by me.
David went to the dining room for breakfast.
"Yo, Londa? You in here?" David asked.
"I am," Yolonda said.
"Cool," David grinned. "What's for breakfast?"
"Look, David, we need to talk," Yolonda said seriously.
"Whoa. You make it sound so serious," David said, taken aback.
"I do watch your confessionals, you know," Yolonda said.
"Okay...?" David said, confused.
"I need to know how you really feel about me," Yolonda said straightforwardly. "One minute you think I'm attractive, the next minute you like me because I make good breakfast. But I don't remember you ever saying anything nice about me as a person."
"Hey, those are supposed to be private," David pouted.
"Come on. Are you honestly saying you wouldn't look at everyone's confessionals if you could?" Yolonda asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I mean... well now I wouldn't. Because now I know how it feels," David said. "I feel violated."
"Well I'm sorry your life's so miserable, David," Yolonda said angrily. "Look, I like you too. I always have. But I need to know if you like me for who I am or if you like me because I'm the hot girl who makes you waffles."
"Wait, you like me too?" David asked with a blush.
"Oh my gosh. I do not have time for this right now!" Yolonda said.
"Then why are you talking with me about it?" David asked.
"Okay, seriously. Get out," Yolonda leered.
"Wait, what?" David asked.
"You heard me. Out of my dining room," Yolonda frowned.
"Alright. Geez," David scowled as he left the room.
Confessional:
David: I'm not even sure I want to keep using this thing. Whatever I say, I know Yolonda is watching. This is like 1984. Only Big Brother is hot. ...That sounded less weird in my head.
Yolonda: Ugh. I can't believe I ever saw anything in him. What a pig!
Franklin and Rachel met up in the armory.
"So, what's up?" Rachel asked.
"As it turns out, I was right all along," Franklin grunted. "Sonamjit is not to be trusted. She voted for Bailey last night."
"So? Bailey wasn't aligned with us, remember?" Rachel asked.
"You don't think I had a side alliance with her?" Franklin asked shortly. "Bailey was my closest ally in the game. Heck, for all I know, you could have voted for her too."
"I honestly didn't," Rachel said truthfully. "I voted for David, like we said."
"Look, the point is, I don't have anyone left to turn to. You're my only ally," Franklin said. "I need to know if I can trust you."
"Don't worry, I have your back," Rachel smiled. "Ernie and I spoke this morning, and he's willing to form an alliance with me. I don't think he'd say no to having one more ally on his side, so I bet you could join up, too."
"Well, Ernie is Sonam's target, so I doubt we'd need to convince him to vote her off," Franklin considered. "If memory serves, she's aligned with David and Mac, so that leaves Erica as the swing vote."
"Oh, don't worry about her," Rachel said. "Ernie outright told me he's also aligned with Erica."
"I see..." Franklin said. "Well, it's my best option. No reason not to."
"That's the spirit," Rachel giggled.
Confessional:
Rachel: I get the feeling Franklin feels like he's losing control of the game. He is, so I don't necessarily blame him. I won't deny that Ernie's starting to gain control with this whole setup, so I won't hesitate to vote out our little sleepyhead when the time's right.
Ernie found Erica playing alone in the game room.
"Yo," Ernie greeted.
"What do you want? I'm busy," Erica huffed.
"I have a proposition," Ernie said. "You're probably not going to like it, but it could help you stay safe."
"Well don't leave me in suspense. I'm dying to know," Erica said dryly.
"We add Rachel to the alliance-" Ernie started.
"No," Erica interrupted.
"Hear me out," Ernie said, getting a bit annoyed.
"Any plan that involves allying with Rachel isn't worth considering," Erica said opinionatedly.
"Not even if we vote her out as soon as we can afford to?" Ernie asked.
"...Okay, fine. Explain," Erica sighed.
"We'll get her to vote with us until Sonamjit at the very least is gone," Ernie explained. "It shouldn't be too hard to get David and Mac to vote against Rachel after that. We may have to get rid of Franklin first, I don't know. Either way, she's just a vote to me."
"Heh. Well how do you like that?" Erica chuckled. "The user has become the used."
"Yeah, something like that," Ernie agreed awkwardly. "So are you in?"
"Yeah, I'm in. Whatever," Erica said impatiently. "I'm about to beat my high score now. Can you leave?"
"Fine then," Ernie scoffed.
Confessional:
Erica: Let it never be said that I can't be rational. Just because Rachel needs to go asap doesn't mean I can't be patient in order to get that to happen.
Ernie: Heh. How stupid does she think I am? Only a complete moron would get rid of a three-two advantage like that. Of course, it's, like, the only way to get Erica to agree with the idea, so if I have to do some lying and manipulation in order to get that to happen, then so be it.
Sonamjit and Mac waited in the rec room for David to show up.
"Why... did we keep him... again...?" Sonamjit asked.
"He's our friend," Mac beamed.
"I have no friends..." Sonamjit said in a way-too-serious manner.
"What about me?" Mac asked.
"What about you...?" Sonamjit frowned. "You're just... an ally... nothing more..."
"That hurts. It really does. And not in the fun way," Mac frowned. "And heck, you just said it yourself. He's an ally. He voted for Bailey, didn't he?"
"I didn't say that... you did..." Sonamjit corrected. "Besides... if it was between... you and someone else... you'd obviously vote... for the other person..."
"Still, you should have more faith in others," Mac said.
"Why bother...? They're going to hurt me..." Sonamjit droned.
"Pretty sure that's a lyric to a Weezer song," Mac chuckled.
"Grow up..." Sonamjit scolded.
"You can grow up and still have fun," Mac told her. "You should try it sometime."
"Whatever..." Sonamjit snorted.
Confessional:
Mac: I've decided I'm gonna try to cheer Sonam back up. It's the least I could do as a friend of hers... whether she likes it or not.
Sonamjit: How is it... that Mac... got eliminated so early... and still seems genuinely happy...? He got... blindsided too... it's not fair!
The contestants all gathered in the foyer at Hatchet's request.
"Alright! Today's another Playground challenge!" Hatchet announced. "And you're gonna wanna pack your swimsuits for this one, so if y'all don't have 'em on you right now, GET TO THAT!"
"Hatchet, you sly dog, you," Rachel winked. "Who knew you wanted to see
us in swimsuits that badly?"
"I walked into that one, I'll admit," Hatchet grumbled.
"No, he obviously wants to see me in my swimsuit," Mac snickered. "I do look quite fetching in a speedo."
"Hatchet, I don't have a swimsuit," Erica said. "Why on earth would I need one?"
"We knew you didn't have one, so we had a wetsuit in your size sent in," Hatchet said. "It'll cover up as much skin as a wetsuit can, so ya don't hafta worry about sunburns."
"Fine," Erica huffed.
"Hurry back with your swimsuits. We don't have all day!" Hatchet ordered.
Confessional:
Mac: Hey, any Playground challenge is okay by me, even if I'm not an amazing swimmer.
Sonamjit: Figures... the only... swimsuit I packed... is all clowny... Eugh...
Rachel: I don't see myself winning this one. Even if I have a bag to cover up my cast, it's hard to swim with only one functional arm.
The contestants, now in their swimsuits, all rode in the bus on the way to the Playground of Pain. Sonamjit had sat next to David.
"We need... to talk..." Sonamjit told him.
"Ugh, why do all the girls want to talk to me today?" David sighed in annoyance. "Normally that'd be awesome, but you don't sound like you have anything fun to say either."
"...Whatever..." Sonamjit said. "You need... to show up... to alliance meetings..."
"I do. Before each elimination," David said.
"In the mornings..." Sonamjit corrected.
"Shoot, are we having those in the mornings now?!" David gasped. "I honestly had no idea."
"Ugh... figures..." Sonamjit said with a shake of her head. "Just... show up... from now on... alright..."
"Don't worry, I will," David said. "I don't really have a reason to miss them anymore."
"I won't press it... because I don't care..." Sonamjit said.
Rachel sat on the other side of the lane from Erica.
"So..." Rachel said awkwardly.
"What?" Erica asked bluntly.
"Did Ernie tell you?" Rachel asked.
"Yeah," Erica said uninterestedly.
"Cool," Rachel said.
There was a pause.
"So..." Rachel started as she stared at Erica's large chest, which the wetsuit she wore accentuated.
"Stop staring at me," Erica growled.
"Okay," Rachel said.
Confessional:
Sonamjit: David... is the most... unreliable ally... I've ever had... Okay... second to Lauren... but still...
David: Today's just one of those days for me. You know, those days where you just... no!
Rachel: Well, my proxy alliance with Erica's going swimmingly already. Heh. No pun intended.
Erica: Like I said. Just because we're voting together doesn't mean I have to dignify her pretense of friendliness with another pretense of friendliness.
Soon, the bus had arrived at the Playground of Pain. The contestants were not surprised to find that all the bark had been replaced with water, and it was deep.
"As y'all can see, today's challenge will be a fairly simple one," Hatchet said proudly.
"What exactly is the challenge?" Franklin asked.
"Survive," Hatchet said. "Last person standin' wins Invincibility."
"So basically it's, ya know, yesterday's challenge?" Ernie asked.
"Oh, well first you're gonna wanna put these on," Hatchet said as he gestured to a pile of water wings to his side.
"What's going on?" David asked?
"You'll find out once the challenge starts," Hatchet snickered. "Challenge starts once all of y'all get in, so hurry your asses up so we can get it overwith."
"How deep is this water?" Rachel asked curiously as she looked down at the pool.
"Ten meters," Hatchet answered.
"Ten meters?!" Erica gasped. "That's insane!"
Mac gleefully put on his water wings as he cannonballed into the pool.
"I rest my case. Definitely insane," Erica said.
"Mac... what are you doing...?" Sonamjit sighed.
"Yolo!" Mac exclaimed. "Besides, this looks fun. Come on, guys!"
One after another, the contestants all acquiesced and entered the pool.
Confessional:
Ernie: I was, like, wondering if we'd ever need our swimsuits for anything other than the backyard pool and the hot tub. I guess we do.
The contestants spread out throughout the pool.
"So when does the challenge start?" David asked.
"Who cares?" Mac asked. "Pool party!"
"I wonder what Hatchet meant by 'survive'," Rachel thought aloud.
"Ooh! Maybe these water wings are rigged with explosives and they'll detonate at random, killing us all one by one until one of us wins Invincibility!" Mac suggested.
"...Yeah. That's definitely it," Erica said sarcastically.
"Uh, I think something just swam past my leg," Franklin said warily.
"You're... hilarious..." Sonamjit said dryly.
"Actually, like, I think I just felt something too," Ernie said. "Feels like-"
Ernie was interrupted by a shark's maw coming out of the water around him, swallowing him whole.
"What the hell?!" Erica gasped.
"That's your challenge," Hatchet chuckled darkly. "Avoid the robot sharks."
Everyone swam as far away as they could from the spot where Ernie had been eaten.
"Dude, as freaky as this is, it's also pretty metal," David chuckled to Mac.
"Seriously!" Mac agreed. "Aw, we should totally host a season sometime. We could come up with some seriously sick challenges! We could even get Yolonda to help."
"Dream on!" Hatchet called.
"Yeah, about that..." David said awkwardly.
"Oh my god! Who the hell cares?!" Erica whined.
Confessional:
David: That awkward moment when the one person who could help me get a hosting gig just had a falling out with me. Otherwise, I'd totally be up for that.
Erica: Seriously, nobody cares about your relationship drama. Why can't people understand that?
"So, what happened to the shark?" Rachel asked.
"Maybe it's devouring Ernie at the bottom of the pool," Mac chuckled. "Rending his flesh from his muscles, tearing his limbs from their sockets, leaving nothing but a fresh skeleton."
Franklin threw up in the water.
"Can you not say things like that?" Franklin growled. "Asshole."
"Whoa. Rude," Mac responded.
"At least... he chummed... the waters..." Sonamjit snickered.
"...Shit," Franklin swore. Just as soon as he realized what had happened, a pair of metal jaws rose from the water and devoured him whole.
"I now understand why we had clam chowder for lunch," Erica remarked.
"For the record, if Ernie were being torn to shreds, we would have seen his blood a long time ago," Rachel said matter-of-factly.
"That's so metal," David chuckled. "Yolonda issues aside, today's been pretty metal."
"Eh, she's too good for you anyhow," Hatchet snorted.
"She sure seems to think so, too," David grumbled.
"Welcome to my world," Erica remarked.
"Welcome... to all of our worlds..." Sonamjit leered.
"Aw, who cares?" Mac asked. "As long as we're having fun, right?"
"I agree," Rachel nodded.
Confessional:
Rachel: I can't help but notice that all the positive people are dropping like flies. First Barry, then Judy, then Bailey. If it comes down to voting for Mac or David, I'll vote David because at least Mac keeps the energy alive.
"So, what do you think happens to the people who do get eaten?" Mac asked as he backstroked across the pool.
"Don't know, don't care," Erica answered.
"You'll probably care if you do get eaten," Rachel chuckled.
"Well I'm glad I asked you, Rachel," Erica snarked.
"I'm here to help," Rachel said, going along with the joke.
"Who wants to place bets on who's going next?" Mac asked.
"How would we even guess that?" David asked. "It seems fairly random."
Just then, Sonamjit got swallowed whole by a robot shark.
"I bet Sonam's gonna be eaten next," David said.
"Nice guess, Nostradamus," Erica remarked.
"Wasn't Nostradamus that vampire from that one episode of Spongebob?" David asked.
"I think so," Mac answered.
"'Nostradamus'!" David quoted. "Nah, that doesn't sound right."
"Yeah, you're right," Mac said. "We should watch that episode when we get back to the house."
"We don't have cable at the house," Rachel reminded them.
"Besides, that vampire's name was Nosferatu," Erica corrected.
"That's what it was!" David realized with a goofy grin and a facepalm. Just then, David was eaten by a robot shark.
"I think the shark heard us talking about Spongebob and wanted in on it," Mac said. "Both are from underwater, right?"
"Yeah, that makes perfect sense," Erica snarked.
Confessional:
Erica: My favorite part of today was being stuck in the challenge with the two single most annoying people in the entire game. I had half a mind to take off my water wings and let myself get eaten. Or drown. Whichever would come first. Both would have been fine by me.
"So, how about the weather?" Mac asked.
"It's very nice," Rachel answered. "I do enjoy summer's weather the most of all. I prefer heat to cold, generally."
"Are you serious, or are you saying that just to spite me?" Erica asked.
"...I was serious," Rachel said, bemused. "Why would my liking heat spite you?"
"Because I burn easily. Duh," Erica said.
"I'm sure it makes sense to her," Mac said to Rachel. "Hey, speaking of heat, I just realized. The three of us were all on Team Flame. And the only members left in the game. How about that?"
"Huh. I'd almost forgotten about that," Rachel said. "Seems like the team phase was so long ago. Especially since we never spent a lot of time with you then."
"No hard feelings," Mac said with a smirk. "Just Nolan being Nolan. He's not a bad guy, so I don't blame him that much."
"'That much'?" Erica asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Aw, it's nothing," Mac insisted. "What's the point in holding a grudge? It's no fun."
Rachel glanced at Erica.
"What?" Erica asked defensively. "I don't have a grudge. I just want you gone because I can't stand you."
"A grudge is a feeling of ill will or resentment," Rachel said. "Which you definitely feel towards me because I had the common decency to not treat my good friend Barry like the plague."
"Again, I'm so glad I asked you," Erica snarled.
"That's it. Let your feelings out," Mac said.
Just then, a robot shark came and ate Erica.
"Or don't. Whatever's cool," Mac shrugged.
Confessional:
Rachel: I bet Erica probably thinks the shark took so long to eat her because she's albino, and therefore disgusting. Her words, not mine.
Erica: That shark obviously took so long to eat me because I was near Rachel, who's disgusting.
"This challenge seems pretty luck-based," Rachel noticed. "You'd think the girl with the broken arm would be easy pickings for a shark, and yet here I am."
"For the record, I ain't controllin' these things," Hatchet said with a controller in his hand. "I just decide when they show up."
"Well either way, may the best Flamer win!" Mac announced.
"Er... what?" Rachel asked.
"What? Team Flame spirit!" Mac grinned.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhh. That's what you meant," Rachel said.
"Yeah. What'd you think I meant?" Mac asked.
"Nevermind," Rachel said.
All of a sudden, music started playing from a radio next to Hatchet.
"Isn't that the theme from Jaws?" Rachel asked.
"Naw. Couldn't get the rights," Hatchet said. "Good thing this song only differs by a couple notes. Totally legal."
"Kinda like when One Direction ripped off Baba O'Riley," Mac said.
"If that helps," Hatchet said flatly.
"More importantly, this probably means the shark's coming," Rachel said.
"Naw, he's probably just faking us out," Mac said. "I'm not that stu-"
Mac was cut off when the shark came out of the water and swallowed one of the contestants.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
"Mac wins Invincibility!" Hatchet announced.
"Sick! Heeheehahaha!" Mac cackled.
All of a sudden, six robotic sharks popped up from the water. They opened their mouths to reveal the rest of the contestants.
"Turns out the sharks have enough air to breathe," Ernie said.
"And they're surprisingly spacious," Franklin added.
"As y'all can see, Mac's won Invincibility," Hatchet said. "Mac, pick one person to join you in the first place rooms."
"Sonam," Mac decided.
"Wow, thanks," David muttered.
"And now two people to sleep outside," Hatchet ordered.
"Uh... Ernie and Erica," Mac decided.
"Rachel, David, and Franklin, y'all will be sleepin' in the basement tonight," Hatchet reiterated.
Confessional:
Sonamjit: Well... better... that one of my... allies should win... than one of my enemies...
Ernie: Well, looks like it's gonna be me or Rachel tonight. Ya know, since we've both been everyone's targets for forever.
The contestants all rode in the bus on the way back to the McLean Mansion.
"So, Mac," Franklin said. "How does it feel knowing you'll be the first person to experience first class alone?"
"I beg your pardon...?" Sonamjit asked.
"Yeah, Sonam's with me, remember?" Mac asked.
"She can't sleep in first class if she's eliminated," Franklin smirked.
"You seem... awful cocky..." Sonamjit said. "For all... you know... you could be... going home... tonight..."
"To my knowledge, I've only received one vote so far in this entire game," Franklin bragged. "You left four to three in the first elimination. And you'll leave four to three in the eighteenth elimination."
"Yeah... that's it..." Sonamjit said. "You... will be going home... tonight..."
"You go ahead and think that," Franklin said condescendingly.
Confessional:
Sonamjit: Tch... vote out Franklin's girlfriend... and he becomes a bitchy... catty... high school girl... How sad...
When the contestants returned to the mansion, Franklin, Rachel, Erica, and Ernie met up in the ballroom.
"So, I take it you want Sonam gone?" Ernie asked Franklin.
"It's only fair," Franklin said.
"I'd be fine with voting Sonam," Rachel said. "Seems to me like she's in a tight three with Mac and David."
"Plus, she's annoying," Erica said.
"Well, of the three, she's probably, like, the only one with any semblance of strategic skill," Ernie said. "And to think, she was just a goof-off when the game started."
"Bailey started off shy, but ended up being the biggest social threat in the game," Franklin pointed out.
"My point is, ya know, voting for Sonamjit is fine with me," Ernie said.
"Good," Franklin said. "I think we can all agree this is the best possible decision."
Confessional:
Ernie: In all honesty, I'd much rather vote for, ya know, David, considering he's a much bigger challenge threat than Sonamjit, but Franklin seemed pretty adamant, and either way, an enemy of mine is going home, so it's whatever.
David, Mac, and Sonamjit met in the rec room.
"So, that whole thing with Franklin..." Mac mentioned.
"Yeah... we should... vote him off..." Sonamjit said. "He's... probably... going to get Rachel... to vote for me... and who knows where... Ernie and Erica stand...?"
"So you're saying we should try and get one or both of them to vote with us?" David asked.
"Eh... not a bad idea..." Sonamjit admitted.
"I'll go do that," David said. "I think, of the three of us, Erica hates me the least. And I have alliance history with Ernie, so that could help."
"Just... get out of here..." Sonamjit said.
"Alrighty then," David nodded as he left the room.
Confessional:
Sonamjit: I swear... he's just... trying to avoid us...
David: Nah, I'm not trying to avoid them. Though I can see how they might think that.
This left Mac and Sonamjit in the rec room.
"Hey... I have a question..." Sonamjit said to Mac.
"Yeah?" Mac responded.
"How are you... so optimistic... all the time...?" Sonamjit asked.
"Well, why not?" Mac shrugged. "Pessimism won't make your life any better."
"Tch... that was a stupid question..." Sonamjit said. "I doubt... you've been picked on... like I have..."
"Huh?" Mac asked.
"I mentioned... middle school... didn't I...?" Sonamjit reminded him. "Let's... just say... it wasn't the best time... in my life..."
"Shoot, I've been picked on," Mac said.
"Yeah... but you enjoy it..." Sonamjit said. "With your... pain fetish..."
"Physical pain is temporary, but emotional pain leaves scars that can never heal," Mac said. "I won't deny, there was a point in my life where I was really depressed."
"Really...?" Sonamjit asked.
Mac rolled up his sleeves, revealing horizontal scars going across his forearms.
"...Oh my God," Sonamjit said.
"I told you I was depressed," Mac shrugged. "But I got tired of cleaning up the mess, so I stopped cutting."
"I didn't know you self-harmed," Sonamjit said.
"Seriously?" Mac asked innocently. "I've been hurting myself since day one and nobody's batted an eye."
"I had no idea..." Sonamjit said sympathetically.
"Aw, it's whatever," Mac grinned. "All in the past."
"No it's not," Sonamjit said. "You're still self-harming. This is unhealthy, Mac."
"Eh, that's what they all say," Mac said. "But hey, I'm touched that you care."
"Of course I care!" Sonamjit said. "This... I don't even know what to say. Even I never went this far."
"You're treating it like it's some big deal," Mac said. "I think the bigger deal is that you've given up on ever being happy."
"Ugh... you're right. I did give up, didn't I?" Sonamjit asked.
"Yeah, kinda," Mac admitted. "You're not really the same girl I fell for."
"W-Wait, what?" Sonamjit asked, taken aback.
"I mean, to be fair, I still think you're really pretty," Mac said. "But I liked it better when you tried to make everyone happy. I thought that was super cool of you."
"I had no idea..." Sonamjit repeated. "Tell you what. If I help you find a less dangerous outlet for your emotions, you can help me learn to be optimistic again."
"I mean, I would have done that anyway," Mac said. "I don't see-"
Sonamjit cut him off with a kiss.
"W-W-W-W-Wow!" Mac stammered. "So... does this mean...?"
"Mac, you're the only person I've spoken to all summer who remotely cared about me as a person," Sonamjit said. "I think that's super cool of you."
"Well would you look at that? You're getting more positive already," Mac noticed.
"Huh. I guess I am," Sonamjit realized.
Confessional:
Sonamjit: I guess Mac and I are both misfits in our own weird ways. I have a good feeling about this, I really do.
Mac: This is quite possibly the greatest day of my life. And I didn't even have to wait for the finale to confess.
Rachel took Franklin to the armory.
"So, what's up?" Franklin asked.
"Look, as your ally and your friend, I need to be honest with you," Rachel said. "That whole thing with Sonam back on the bus... you were kind of a jerk."
"Everyone has their own moral compass," Franklin said. "I feel more than justified in what I did."
"You feel justified in taunting someone?" Rachel asked.
"Sonamjit betrayed the trust of one of my friends," Franklin said. "You know my policies."
"Friendship and justice above all else?" Rachel tried to remember.
"That's right," Franklin said. "All bad deeds must be punished. And I think it was rather good of me to at least tell Sonamjit. I wouldn't want to be seen as a hypocrite. We're still aligned with her, aren't we?"
"If we were before, we certainly aren't now," Rachel said. "Still, that was a dick move, and I don't know if you heard her, but she's gunning for you now solely because of what you did."
"Well then she's just being immature," Franklin scoffed.
"Okay, look, I want to try and get Ernie to vote out Erica three to one once our alliance gets rid of the other three guys," Rachel said. "That can't happen if you keep this attitude up."
"I don't have an attitude," Franklin said. "Just because you don't agree with me doesn't mean I'm in the wrong."
"No, you're in the wrong because you're being an asshole," Rachel said, her tone indicating that she was losing patience.
"That's a great way to talk to your ally," Franklin snarked. "I thought we were friends. Friends have each other's backs."
"I do have your back!" Rachel snapped. "That's why we're having this conversation."
"Well, tell me when you figure out how friendship works," Franklin said condescendingly as he left the armory.
Confessional:
Rachel: I can't believe this guy. How arrogant can you get? I'm honestly tempted to vote for him tonight just to give him a wake-up call.
Ernie and Erica sat in the game room, the former watching the latter play Tetris.
"So, like, do you ever get bored of this game?" Ernie asked.
"Sometimes," Erica admitted. "But when you get to be as good at a game as I am, you form a bond with it."
"I never took you for the sentimental type," Ernie chuckled.
"Oh shut up," Erica said with a roll of her eyes.
Just then, David walked in.
"Hey, guys," David greeted.
"David. Been a while," Ernie greeted back.
"So, I was curious if either of you wanted to vote for Franklin," David said.
"I'd be lying if I said I hadn't considered it," Ernie said.
"I have nothing against Franklin," Erica said. "Other than the obvious."
"The obvious...?" David asked, trying to figure it out.
"He's aligned with Rachel," Ernie told him.
"Oh. Duh," David said with a facepalm. "Anyway, besides that fact, he's also a physical threat. No offense, but I don't think either of you would stand a chance against him in the finale."
"You've made a good case," Ernie said. "Why don't you, ya know, leave Erica and me alone to discuss it?"
"It's 'Erica and I'," Erica corrected.
"No, it isn't," Ernie said. "You wouldn't say 'Why don't you leave I alone'. At least I, like, hope you wouldn't."
"I'll just... yeah," David said as he left the room.
Confessional:
David: I hope I convinced them.
The seven 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.
"Time flies, don't it?" Hatchet commented. "But for one of y'all, that won't be a good thing, because your time's about to be up! Anyway, if ya get a soda, you're safe."
"You don't have to keep reminding us," Franklin said.
"It's for the viewers!" Hatchet said. "What if it's their first episode of the show? They'd be totally lost if I didn't mention it."
"You don't seem to think much of your audience," Sonamjit giggled.
"Anyway! Sodas go to..."
"Mac."
"David."
"Rachel."
"Ernie."
"Erica."
This left Franklin and Sonamjit in the bottom two.
"Say hi to Bailey for me," Franklin smirked.
"You can say hi to her yourself," Sonamjit smirked back.
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"...Franklin!" Hatchet finally announced.
Sonamjit sighed as tears filled her eyes.
"Sonamjit, it's time for you to go," Hatchet said.
Mac put his hand on his girlfriend's shoulder.
"It's..." Sonamjit started.
"It's okay, Sonam," Mac said supportively. "I'll win for the both of us."
"It's... Spankety," Spankety corrected with a faint smile on her face. "Call me Spankety."
"Spankety, Sonamjit, whatever. You're out," Hatchet said.
Spankety stood up and looked at the final six. "Well... no hard feelings... and I mean that." She turned to Mac. "Go get 'em."
Spankety and Mac shared a kiss before she walked for the Door of Shame.
"Whoa. When did this happen?" David asked.
"Earlier today," Mac beamed. "Aw, and I miss her already."
"Well, you're gonna hafta miss her later, 'cuz it's time for bed!" Hatchet announced.
Confessional:
Erica: Pfft. Figures Sona-Spanke-whatever would get a boyfriend before me, despite totally ripping off my look. I bet Mac likes darker girls. Like every other guy.
"We're down to the final six. One of these fools left in the game is gonna win. Think about that," Hatchet said. "Will Franklin survive with his bad attitude? What will become of David and Mac now that their alliance leader is gone? Will Erica ever stop complainin' over nothin'? Only time will tell. On Total! Drama! HOUSE PARTY!"
Votes:
Franklin: I'm a believer in an eye for an eye. You should have see the guy who did this to me (he points at his eyepatch). Anyway, I vote for Sonamjit.
Mac: Well, let's see... super hot girl who's gonna start working hard to get a more positive outlook, or some guy I barely know who's getting meaner by the day? Tough choice. Not! Bye, Franklin.
Spankety: Even if I am going to work towards being less negative, David's already gone to try and get the others to vote for Franklin, so, even if I do forgive and forget, I'm still voting for him.
Rachel: Franklin may be, as they say, taking a level in jerkass, but he's still a trusted ally. Sonamjit, on the other hand, has a whole other alliance, and the target's on her, so I vote for Sonamjit.
Erica: Eh, even if he is Rachel's friend, Franklin's nowhere near as annoying as Sonamjit, so my vote goes to her.
Ernie: Like I said, only an idiot would give up a majority alliance. So, yeah, like, Sonamjit's got my vote.
A/N: I'll admit, Sonamjit didn't quite turn out how I'd expected. She was originally going to be less spiteful and angry and more depressed and brooding, but as I wrote, I found the angry version of her to fit better. A lot of people didn't like that, which is fine. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, and that helps me learn what works and what doesn't. As for her resolution with Mac, that was always going to happen the way it did. Even if she didn't get her revenge on everybody, Spankety did leave on a somewhat happier note, so I hope nobody faults me for that.