Disclaimer: All characters and locations belong to Fresh Tv, Teletoon, Cartoon Network, or whoever owns these rights. However, all OC's belong to me as do any original ideas found in this story...so don't steal them...I'm serious...you have been warned!

This story is rated T for innuendos, cartoon violence, and mild cursing. There will be spoilers for all five seasons of Total Drama, so you have been warned. And just a reminder, do not try any of what you read at home. You could get really messed up.

~A/N~ Quick update this time! Now that PI is over and out of my brain, I can focus on this story. Enjoy the most action-packed chapter yet. In-depth reviews are highly appreciated.

"Last time on Total Drama..."

"Our remaining campers were sent out into the wilderness to create a three course meal for their deserving host. Tensions rose between scheming jerk Jordan and his team when Katie took a stand. Samantha had a few blunders too, including an incident with some trippy mushrooms and a dessert that will not be mentioned on this show. In the end, Staci's nostalgic fruit cocktail won it for the Foxes of Failure, and hairspray obsessed Anne Maria became the unlucky loser number thirteen. Now, only twelve remain, and things are heating up, so you won't want to miss a second of this exciting episode of Total... Drama... Return of the Underdogs!"

(Theme song plays)

The call of loons filled the air as Noah turned and twisted in his bed. The book fanatic slowly opened his eyes and looked around the cabin. When he set his precious head back down on his pillow, he felt an odd presence beside him. He opened his eyes once more and turned his head. There, hanging from the upper bed railing, was Dawn in a deep sleep-like trance.

Noah was somewhat disturbed, but didn't want to say a word for fear that he might wake up the others. Instead, he tried to go back to sleep, but couldn't get that image of Dawn out of his mind.

Confessional

Noah: "Alright, this might sound a bit rude, but Dawn is one nutty cookie. It's one thing to share a bunk with fart machines, eels, and nimrods, but with someone that borders the lines of paranormal? Sorry, but I don't buy it for one minute. I'm sure there's a perfectly logical explanation for what she does, and I'm going to find out by watching her every movement... Wait, that sounded wrong."

End Confessional

Outside of the cabin, the Llamas were finally able to sleep peacefully. Samantha was already awake and moving about the forest floor. Making sure to take quiet steps, she walked around the campgrounds as she hummed a merry tune.

The other Llamas shuffled in their sleep, and Samantha froze whenever she got close. But waking up the other team wasn't a problem for her. She had decided to take a quick look around the cabin and the bushes around it for reasons unknown, but the rustling of leaves could be heard by the Foxes. Samantha pushed her way through the bushes carefully, checking every spot on the ground.

Confessional

Samantha: "If I want to win the money, I'll need an insurance policy in this game. That's why I have to get the immunity statue. As much as I'd hate to carry around a hideous Chris head all day, it's the only way to ensure that my place in this game lasts until the finale."

End Confessional

"Up early, huh?" came a voice from behind her, causing the country girl to jump in surprise. She turned to face the owner of the voice. "What's the big deal?"

"Dakota!" whispered Samantha. "Keep it down. There are people sleeping here."

The blonde beauty ran her fingers through her head of stubble. "Fine. But what's with sneaking away like that?" she asked suspiciously.

"I had to pee really bad," she lied. "That's all. No need to fuss."

"Uh huh," Dakota said. "Alright. Then why we're you fiddling through the bushes. Loose your glasses, Velma?"

"Why be so suspicious unless you have something to hide?"

"Maybe I should be asking that question instead?"

Samantha had been caught and she knew it. She sighed and rolled her eyes in defeat. "I was looking for the immunity head thing. You'd do the same if you bombed a challenge."

Dakota smiled. "Oh, I understand completely. You didn't... happen to find it, did you?"

"Yeah, right. One idol in over two thousand acres of forest. I can't imagine anyone finding it, to be honest."

"You're probably right," Dakota said. "But remember how powerful that thing is. If someone uses the statue as vote protection, there's no stopping them from owning the game. I was a victim of the same idol in season four."

"That's exactly why we have to get it before someone like Eva does. A strong player with strong power isn't fun to deal with."

"And Eva has been running around the island a lot," added Dakota. "You don't think she already found it, do you?"

"I doubt it, but we have to take precautionary measures," said Samantha slyly. "You up for voting her off if we lose today? I need your vote."

"You took the words right out of my mouth," said Dakota with a mischievous smile.

Confessional

Dakota: "I can't believe she hasn't found out about my alliance with Brick yet. I thought she was smarter than that. Oh well, my job just got easier. I just hope Brick sticks with me. There's only two of us, and with a potential swing vote gone, every vote's important."

End Confessional

"So? You're in for sure?" asked Samantha.

Dakota shook hands with Samantha. "Definitely. Is Sadie still in too?"

"Yep, and Ethan too. That's four to two if we all vote together, and no twist is saving Eva this time. You can count on that."

The loudspeakers squealed with static. "All campers to the bonfire. I repeat, all campers to the bonfire. Today's a big day, and we have plenty of pain waiting for you. McLean out!"

"See you there," said Dakota happily.

"Right back at you," Samantha replied with an innocent smile.

As the twelve campers walked down the path to the bonfire, each team casually conversed amongst themselves.

"Yah," bragged Staci. "I should totally write a cookbook. I have so many good ideas, and I know people will be impressed. I think outside of the box just like my extended family."

"It was one dish," argued Jordan. "Chris gave you a zero too."

"He was just upset. Plus, it's not like you helped us win."

"Uh, I got us seven points. Seven!"

"Yeah," said Noah. "Well your crappy rap song almost cost us the round, if not the game. That was just pathetic."

Jordan stopped and turned to Noah. "Well, at least I left an impression on the judges."

"Can we stop arguing?" pleaded Dawn. "Just because we won doesn't mean that we can rest easy. I fell an ominous presence on the island. Somethings going to happen, and it won't be jolly."

"Oh balls," chuckled Jordan. "Your predictions haven't been right in a week. Remember when you said I'd fall out of that tree? Did it happen? No."

"Jordan, you can't let your pride devour you again. Your ego is holding you back, like it has been since you won that putt-putt tournament in 2006."

Jordan laughed in remembrance. "Oh yeah, I remember that one. I sunk the... Hold on, I didn't tell you that!"

"It's in your aura," sighed Dawn. "And your sleep talking too."

"Since when do I sleep talk?" Jordan rudely asked the moonchild.

"Every night," complained Noah. "And trust me. It gets annoying."

"Yah," agreed Staci. "One time, you were talking about some secret club or something."

"Secret club?" Jordan asked with caution.

Confessional

Jordan: "Oh crap! They're onto me, aren't they?"

End Confessional

Samantha walked up to Ethan, who was clutching his stomach and mumbling to himself. "So, how ya' feeling now?"

"Not good," he replied. "It feels like a nuke just went off in my gut."

"Well, you probably should've listened my advice. I told you not to eat the mushroom, and you deliberately ignored my warning. Think of this as karma."

"All I wanted to do was try it," Ethan moaned in despair. "I don't get out of my house much. Most of my time is spent making videos for my YouTube channel and I rarely make any friends at school."

Samantha smiled. "I'm you're friend, right?"

Ethan blushed through his sickly face. "But, I've only known you for a few days."

"I know, but that doesn't mean we can't hang out."

"Wow. Thanks Sammy, uh... Samantha."

"Just call me Sammy. Chris ain't gonna tell me what my name is unless he wants to tussle."

Dakota rolled her eyes as she listened to the two newcomers bonding. She turned to Brick and asked, "Are you hearing this? They're getting closer."

"I hear it," Brick sighed. "Does it matter?"

"Yes, Brick. It does matter," she said sweetly. "Samantha and Ethan are new. We don't know anything about them, but they've been watching us for a full season. Well, Ethan at least. Samantha is pretty much blind to the show."

"So why is she dangerous? Why target her?"

"She has brains, something that comes in handy. Plus she's a traitor, remember?"

"Wait. Is this a revenge scheme?"

"Not all of it," Dakota growled to herself. "But I trusted her and she failed me."

Brick stood stout. "Well, maybe you failed her?"

Dakota gasped. "Excuse me!" she shouted.

The rest of the campers peered at the bald girl in interest.

"What's wrong?" asked Eva impatiently.

"Nothing," Dakota sighed.

"You sounded angry," said Sadie. "Are you sure?"

"I said nothing was wrong! Why's that so hard to comprehend!" Dakota said as she facepalmed.

Confessional

Brick: "I'm starting to wonder who's the real traitor is around here? And traitorous liars must be taken down swiftly. But, she is my only friend on the team, so I have to trust her, right?"

Dakota: "I need to find a new alliance. Brick has grown to be too wishy washy about this deal. How is it so hard to see the truth."

Samantha: "I heard those two bickering, but I couldn't make out the words. But they're up to something, and I want to know what it is. Daddy didn't raise a slouch."

End Confessional

"Chill out," Samantha laughed. "Its all good."

"Yeah, of course," Dakota breathed deeply. "Sorry."

When both teams arrived at the bonfire, Chef had already set up the gruel station, drawing groans out from quite a few campers.

"Finally," Noah sighed. "We get breakfast again. Not like I care about gruel, but still, breakfast."

"Why should you care?" scowled Eva. "You got to eat like kings while we starved in the cold."

"I didn't eat much," Noah admitted.

"Me too," Katie said. "Your food was pretty lame."

Eva clenched her fist and inhaled a deep breath. "1... 2... 3..." she murmured.

Jordan walked up to Chef and looked around. "Hey," he asked. "Where's Chris."

"Chris is off doing something in the woods for today's challenge, so sit down and grabbed yo' plate!"

"Touchy much," Jordan teased.

The campers stood single file, waiting to be served. Jordan looked at Dawn. "Thanks for not healing my hand last night. It really hurt."

Dawn sighed. "If you had asked me, I would've done something."

"I did ask. During the challenge, remember?" he hissed.

"Sorry, it must've slipped my memory."

Noah snickered.

"What?"

"Oh, I was just thinking about how useless you are with the injured hand. A perfect reason to send you packing, you know."

Jordan rolled his eyes and turned the other cheek. "At least I have some useful skills. Can you lift a log over your head? Huh?"

"No, but at least I don't make a fool of myself every five minutes."

Jordan sighed. "I know I can be an ass sometimes, but that's just me. You're just gonna have to roll with it."

Jordan grabbed his plate of gruel and sat down on the ground beside the fire pit. The jock sighed in woe.

Confessional

Jordan: "Its a sad fact. People hate me. But I have a really tough shell, so no one, even Noah, could bring me down."

Katie: "After what happened yesterday, Jordan won't even look in my direction. I didn't really like him, but maybe I was too mean. But he totally had it coming though."

End Confessional

Once Dakota had been served, she looked around for a place to sit and spied Dawn sitting alone. Feeling as if she needed someone to help her, Dakota sat next to the aura whisperer.

"Dawn, can I ask you something?" Dakota mumbled.

"What's wrong? You're aura is exceptionally out of balance, so you must be conflicted."

"I guess you could say that. But Dawn, if you knew something, but no one believed you, or cared, what would you do?"

Dawn sighed in remembrance. "Well, sometimes things just work out for better or worse. Everything happens for a reason, and there's no stopping these events from occurring."

"That doesn't help," Dakota confessed. "I guess you could say that, uh, if I blab, I could go home, but here's the thing. Everyone has the right to know, but I don't think I should say anything."

"You can tell me," Dawn smiled. "Your aura is conflicted, so the only way to cure it is to confess what's keeping you down."

Dakota looked around the clearing to get an idea of where everyone was at. She leaned in close and whispered in Dawn's ear. "I'm in two different alliances."

"That's not too bad," Dawn said. "Just drop out of one of them."

"I can't," she hissed in return. "If I do, I'm dead either way."

Dawn paused and closed her eyes. "You need to let it go and make a choice. It's the only way. Pardon me for asking, but who's in the alliances?"

Dakota groaned and stood up. "Just forget it. I shouldn't have told you in the first place."

Dawn looked down at her feet and sighed with grief.

Confessional

Dawn: "I hate to admit the truth, but there are just too many poor souls to help right now. Staci's fine, but Noah and Dakota are suffering inside, even if they don't show it. *groans* Why do I have to be so helpful?"

Dakota: "After talking to Dawn, I realized that I can't rely on anyone but myself. Samantha betrayed our team, Sadie and Ethan follow her every lead, and Brick can't make up his mind. That leaves... oh, crap. This could be tougher than I thought."

End Confessional

Silence filled the air as the campers were finishing their breakfast, so Staci stood up and tried to lighten the mood.

"So, group discussion anyone?"

"Sorry," Noah deadpanned. "I hate crowds."

"I'm too busy watching the fire burn," said Jordan. "It's pretty."

"Well," pondered Staci. "I was thinking that we could talk about our plans with the money. Cool?"

"Meh," Samantha said. "What have we got to lose." She stood up. "If I won the hundred grand, I would pay off my family's debt. Our farm is getting foreclosed unless we pay it off. Yeah, my life's been... difficult."

"That's so sad," said Staci. "Anyone else?"

"College," Noah sighed. "Just college."

"I'd donate it to a good charity that helps abandoned animals," Dawn said with hope.

"Well," Jordan grinned. "I'd buy a pool with strobe lights and bubbles. Then I'd use it to pick up babes."

"Would we be invited?" Staci asked seriously.

"Maybe, if you get on my good side."

"Awesome," Staci chirped. "What about-"

"I'd get a good trainer and compete internationally," Eva said. "At least I have a good plan, unlike pool boy over there."

Jordan rolled his eyes as Ethan raised his hand. "I'd put the money in the bank and gain interest. Either that, or invest in the stock market."

B held up his blackboard. A picture of a cyborg was drawn on the slate.

"I'd give my money to Sadie," Katie squealed.

"Aww," Sadie cooed. "I'd give mine to you too."

"You could split it 50/50," Noah suggested.

"But then we'd lose half of the money," Sadie said. "Silly Noah."

"Wait," snapped Jordan. "I changed mine. I want to be a rap star. I'll pick up girls all night and make tons of money."

"Boy, that's not stereotypical at all," Noah said sarcastically.

"No need to worry. I'd rap about my life and people's problems instead of money, prostitutes, and fancy cars. Now that would be stereotyped."

"That's cool," Staci said. "If I won, I'd write a book about my family tree. And trust me, I have a lot of inspiration. So, is that everyone?"

"I'd use my money to go to a culinary school," Brick said. "Either that, or I'd hire a shrink. I've been to fashion school, but it didn't really work out."

"Dakota?" Staci teased. "Is there anything you want to do with the money? You're really quiet."

"I'd... buy a boat," she replied.

"Oh, that's so much better than being a rapper!" Jordan enthusiastically said. "I'm buying a boat now. I'll use it to go deep sea fishing, wave riding, water skiing, and-"

The loudspeakers squealed, cutting off Jordan's speech. "Attention victims," said Chris enthusiastically. "This is your host speaking. Please report to the western end of the island for a healthy serving of pain and humiliation."

Jordan stood up and stretched his arms to the sky. "Another day, another win for the Foxes," he bragged.

"Hold on," Katie said. "Which way is west, again?"

"Wherever the sun sets," said Samantha rudely.

"Oh no, Sadie!" she panicked. "We have to wait until dark!"

"Just follow the sun's path," Noah sighed with arrogance. "Is it hard enough for you?"

Jordan quickly ran up to Noah and whispered in his ear. "Bet that's what your boyfriend says all the time, huh Noah?"

The bookworm growled and glared at the braggart. "Will you cut it with the jokes! It's not funny, and it will never be funny."

"The target audience would disagree. You should read the fan fiction."

Jordan slapped Noah on the back as the genius stopped in his tracks and stared into space.

Confessional

Noah: "Fan fiction? There's romantic fan fiction about me? Okay, I'm officially disturbed. It takes a messed up mind to come up with ideas like that."

Jordan: *Writes in a small notepad* "And then Noah grabbed Cody in his frail little arms and ran his fingers through his hair. Cody let out a small moan when his partner... Oh, this will be great!"

End Confessional

When the campers reached the western end of the Island after a half hour hike through mosquitoes and sweat, they saw a massive colosseum with Chris' face scrawled across its shabby metal walls.

"Its huge," gasped Ethan in awe.

"And hideous," mumbled Samantha.

The doors of the structure opened, revealing Chris with a sly grin on his face. "Welcome, campers. This is the newly refurbished Chrisoseum, the site of many major battles, including Cameron vs. Lightning, Mike vs. Izzy, and Duncan Do-Good vs. a cute little bird from the toxic dump of Boney Island. It's also where you'll be competing in today's challenge. It's a little something I call, 'Mud, Blood, and Broken Bones!"

"Mud?" Dakota squirmed.

"Blood?" Katie gasped.

"Broken bones!" Eva cheered.

"Oh my," said Dawn.

"Don't worry," Chris chuckled. "There will be mud. There may be blood. But I doubt anyone's bones will break. Of course, Tyler broke a leg in a relatively safe challenge, so it's anyone's guess."

"Relatively safe?" Noah deadpanned. "Are you saying that getting cannon balls chucked at you was safe?"

"Compared to what you're doing today, yes, yes it was."

Noah gulped. "Great, because I'm not playing."

Chris sighed. "I figured at least one of you would drop out, so I had Chef prepare a special meal for anyone who decided to play hooky with me. And trust me, you'd be needing a big toilet if you ate that stuff."

"Not. Hungry," Dakota frowned.

"I'm with her," Noah added.

"Good, then that means it's a full house," Chris said as he devilishly rubs his hands together. "Now, how about you come see what my interns have prepared for you."

The twelve teens reluctantly followed the host through the gates of the colosseum. Inside was a gargantuan pit filled with mud. On each side of the pit was a wooden platform with a bridge that connected each side to a large circular platform that rested a foot or so above the mud. Hanging above each small platform was a banner that displayed the logo of one of the two teams.

Chris laughed as the campers stared at the battlefield in a mixture of fear and awe. "This... is going to be good. Alright everyone take your sides on your platforms and I'll explain the game."

Each team slowly made their way onto their wooden platform. When Noah looked over the side at the mud, he looked up and shouted to Chris. "Alright, what's the catch?!"

"Catch?" Chris asked with confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean, McLean! There's no way that stuff is just mud!"

"I concur!" bellowed Eva from the other side of the pit. "What's up with this place?"

Chris groaned. "I don't know what you're yapping about! It's just mud!"

"Yeah right!" Dakota argued. "There's probably some kind of monster in there!"

"Or sharks!" insisted Staci.

"Look," Chris deadpanned. "It's. Just. Mud! There's no catch! Got it!"

The campers groaned in disbelief. "Of course" and "Right" filled the morning air with sarcasm.

Confessional

Chris: "Hey, it was either mud or shit. If those ungrateful campers want to bitch, then fine. That just gives me more incentive to make their next few challenges even worse, heh he."

End Confessional

"Alright!" Chris shouted from his podium beside the pit of mud as Chef joined him. "Here's what gonna happen. One member from each team will be selected at random by the monitor over there!" Chris pointed to the wall opposite of his podium where a large television screen was bolted to the metal. "Once you've been selected, you'll grab your weapon and engage the opponent in a duel. Using your weapon, and your weapon only, you'll have to push, smack, or shove the other team's player into the mud. The winner earns a point for their team, and the team with the most points after the end of the third round wins. And remember, a round ends when all players on both teams have had a turn. No exceptions!"

"Wait!" Sadie screeched. "What do we use as weapons?"

Chris turned to Chef. "Care to bestow their weapons upon them?"

Chef laughed and pulled up two dueling sticks, one red and one green. Each stick was composed of a metal bar with two cushioned pads on each end.

"Heads up!" Chef shouted as he threw them at high velocity at each team.

Jordan immediately stepped in front of his team to catch the stick, but got hit in the gut. The jock reeled in pain and fell to the ground as B picked up the weapon.

Eva snapped the stick out of the air and swung it around with its energy as the driving force. Her team backed up to the edge of the platform to avoid her powerful swings.

Ethan smiled. "Cool! We get fighty stick thingies!"

Chris quickly corrected the shut in. "Yeah, they're called dueling sticks, Ethan. And you probably wouldn't want to be hit in the face by one of them. It'll hurt like a bitch."

Noah gulped in fear as Jordan got to his feet and addressed the host. "Hey, Chris! What about the advantage we won yesterday?!"

"I was getting to that," stated a peeved Chris. "As your reward, your team gets to choose the first match without the help of the computer. So hurry up and make a choice! There's a lot of pain on the way and we can't waste a second!"

The Foxes huddled together.

"So," Jordan said. "Who's going against who?"

"I say B should go first," Dawn said. "He's the smartest and the strongest one here."

"I second that," Katie smiled.

"But what about their player?" asked Staci. "Who's their worst guy?"

Noah looked over his shoulder at the other team, examining each player by their size and apparent strength. "Well, I'd say that anyone that's not Eva is fair game."

Jordan looked across the team. "Ethan's pretty scrawny. B could knock him out with a twig if had to. But the kid's smart, so maybe we should pick someone who's as dumb as soup."

"I vote for Ethan," Noah said. "Everyone else agree."

Jordan reluctantly gave a thumbs up. "Yeah, Ethan."

Chris impatiently tapped The railing of the podium with his spider-like fingers. "We need a decision, Foxes of Failure!"

Jordan proudly stood at the edge of the platform. "B against Ethan!" he shouted.

"Alright!" said Chris enthusiastically. "B and Ethan, cross the bridges onto the arena."

Ethan was shaking in fear, so Eva had to push the nerd onto the bridge. When he hit the arena, he raised his weapon and stood trembling. B took his place at the opposite end of the platform and smiled at the pale weakling.

Confessional

Ethan: "I've never done anything like this before. I was actually worried that I might die!"

End Confessional

Chris raised an airhorn into the air and pressed the button on top of the can, creating a deafening sound that made Ethan jump in surprise. "Go!"

B spent no time preparing for his attack. The genius gripped his red swirling stick in both of his hands and rushed across the platform.

Ethan looked back at his team to hear Eva screaming "Move it!"

He looked back to the arena to discover that B had already crossed the fifty foot wide platform and was already timing a swing. The nerd instinctively ducked below the dueling stick and began to run around the circumference of the arena.

Both teams entered a frenzy of shouting, screaming, and praying as B made his way closer to the lanky teen. Ethan wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his navy blue hoodie and trembled in place. Without thinking, he raised his weapon at crotch level, hoping to defend himself against the wall of power that was on top of him.

B held his dueling stick like a baseball bat and charged up a swing. Ethan raised his stick as B swung, leaving him open to the attack. The red dueling stick collided with the nerd's body, sending him flying into the mud screaming.

The Foxes cheered at their victory as B crossed the bridge back to his team's platform, giving high-fives as he walked past the other players.

"That's a point for the Foxes of Failure!" Chris cheered. He clicked a button on his remote that changed the electronic counter under the Foxes' side of the screen from 00 to 01. "Once Ethan returns his dueling stick to the team, we'll really have some fun."

The nerd crawled back onto the arena floor covered in thick mud. His breathing was quick and he fidgeted as he slowly moved his legs. When he crossed the bridge, Ethan dropped the dueling stick and groaned in discomfort.

Chris raised his remote again and pressed a different button. The screen spun through the faces of the campers at a rapid speed. "And the next match is..."

The screen stopped on the faces of a blonde girl and tanned brunette.

"Katie vs. Dakota! Take your places!"

"No!" whispered Dakota to herself. "I can't go. I hate mud!"

"Well too bad," Chris taunted her. "You're doing it anyways! So grab your stick and get moving."

Katie grabbed her dueling stick and walked onto the arena as Dakota looked down at the muddy tool on the ground. Eva grabbed it and brought it over to her.

"Could you... wipe it off a little?" the former mutant whimpered.

"No," said Eva, shoving the stick into her arms and splattering mud across her hot pink shirt.

"Eww," she groaned.

"Toughen up," Samantha rolled her eyes. "I get muddy all the time. It's not a big deal."

"Well, I'm not a pig raising country girl," Dakota whined.

Confessional

Samantha: "Just for the record, my family can't afford to raise animals. Also, Dakota isn't as reliable as I initially thought. Decisions, decisions."

End Confessional

"I can't do it," Dakota said boldly.

Eva grabbed her by her shirt and picked her up. "I'm not losing twice in a row, so unless you want to go home in a bodybag, I suggest you get your base onto that platform and grow a pair. Got it?"

Dakota panicked. "Alright, I get it! Just let me go, and I'll play. I swear!"

Eva carried the teen to the bridge and pushed her across.

"And begin!" signaled Chris with his horn.

Katie squinted her eyes in determination. "Just pretend she's Jordan," she thought. "Just pretend she's Jordan."

Dakota slipped around in the mud under her feet as she tried to get a foothold. Seeing her vulnerability, Katie decided to attack. The BFFF lifted her weapon above her head and ran towards Dakota, who raised her weapon to cover herself as she ducked down.

Both weapons collided, sending Dakota back an inch or two with every blow from Katie's strong arms. When she was on the edge of the platform, only a few inches away from the mud, Dakota rolled out of the way, allowing Katie to fling herself forward and almost over the side. The fame monger barely touched the wobbling BFFF with her dueling stick before she tumbled face-first into the brown mess.

The Llamas cheered as the Foxes groaned. Katie made her way back to her team where she immediately told Jordan to not say a word. Dakota was given pats on the back and gained a slight boost in confidence.

Chris added a point to the Llama's counter and pressed the button again. The faces of Jordan and Sadie popped up the screen.

Confessional

Jordan: "Piece of cake."

Sadie: "Oh, I won't let Jordan slip by this time. He's going down! No one messes with my friend Katie!"

End Confessional

"Sadie and Jordan, take your places," said Chris.

Once both players were in position, Chris blew the horn and both opponents ran forward towards the content of the platform. Sadie sailing her stick around to hit Jordan in the head, but the larger player blocked the shot and used the bar of his weapon to slowly push Sadie towards the edge of the arena.

"Looks like it's pretty much over," said Noah enthusiastically as Sadie fell into the mud pit. "Yep, now it's over."

Jordan pumped his fist in the air and ran across the bridge. "See, I told you I had skills!" he gloated. "I. Have. Skills!"

The Foxes rolled their eyes as their point counter went up to 02. Sadie slowly crawled out of the mud and brushed it off of her sad little face before walking back to her platform.

Chris laughed. "Now that was a fight. It was a bit one sided, but it was a good fight. Next up is..."

Both teams looked to the screen as the faces of the teaming players flashed by. When the players were selected, Chris chuckled to himself. "Oh man, this is going to be awesome! Noah and Eva, take center stage."

Confessional

Noah: "Of course."

Jordan: "Time to watch that little show-stealer get creamed. First a win, and now this. Today just keeps gettin' better and better!"

Eva: "Sure, Noah and I have a grudging respect for one another, but this is a hundred grand, not a turn on the playground slide."

End Confessional

Noah dragged himself onto the arena as Eva stomped her away across the bridge. The platform shook with every step, but Noah remained firm.

When Chris blew the horn, Eva raised the dueling stick over her head and let out a battle cry. "Honor!"

Noah just stood calm and collected as Eva reached his side of the platform until she swung downwards. It was then that the bookworm dodged using the same technique Dakota had used. But it didn't work quite as well. Noah's weak legs prevented him from rolling to the side and he was hit in the ribcage.

Jordan snickered as B and Katie gasped.

"Noah!" Dawn mouthed. "Move!" She screamed.

Noah tried to get to his feet, but Eva put the end of her dueling stick on his chest and pushed him over the side with a single heave.

"And Eva scores a point!" Chris cheered. "Its a tie game, and Noah got hit in the ribs! Bonus!"

Eva began to walk back to her team, but looked back to Noah as he struggled to get himself onto the platform.

The bully sighed and reached into the mud to pull out her fallen opponent. "Sorry about that. Honorable warriors never leave anyone behind. Especially a friend."

"Great," Noah deadpanned. "Thanks for the bruise."

Eva dropped him on the bridge. "I said I was sorry. Don't push it."

Noah limped over to his team where Dawn asked him if he was hurt.

"Merely a flesh wound," Noah quoted. "I'm not broken, just bent a bit. I just need to rest."

Dawn felt the teen's side where he had been struck. "Its not broken after all, but you should take it lightly from now on. Maybe you could try meditating?"

"Thanks, but I'm good."

The Foxes were so attentive to Noah's injury that they had ignored the next round until Chris announced the match. "Dawn vs. Samantha!"

Dawn turned pale in fear. "Oh no," she whimpered.

Confessional

Dawn: "I hate violence. I only use it when someone I like is in danger or needs help. But on a battlefield?"

Samantha: "At least I get a free pass. Dawn's as soft as a pillow in the field of combat, so how hard can it be?"

End Confessional

Both girls took their places on the arena, but Dawn immediately dropped her weapon and looked to Chris. "Please," she said. "This is wrong. You can't just force us to fight for your entertainment. Noah's hurt and can barely stand, and all you can do is laugh? You are a true monster, and I swear on behalf of the Earth Mother that your plans will not succeed."

"Blah blah blah, go!" Chris said as he sounded the horn.

Dawn looked at Samantha prepping her weapon for an attack, but Dawn didn't run. Instead, she stood in place with her left arm outstretched to her attacker.

"Please," Dawn thought to herself. "Work."

Samantha roared as she smacked Dawn in the shoulder with her dueling stick and sent her tumbling into the mud pit like a domino.

"No!" shouted Staci. "Dawn!"

Samantha scoffed and walked back to her team as Chris added yet another point to the Llama's total. Dawn eased her way out of the mud and cried a small tear. "I failed you," she said as she walked onto her platform. "Sorry I tried to reason."

"Its not your fault," said Staci.

"Excuse me," coughed Jordan. "How's it not her fault? She dropped the damn stick before the match started!"

"She's not a mean bully like you, Jordan," Katie said. "Leave her alone."

Jordan threw his hands into the air and gave up trying to reason with the team. "I'm done."

"Done? We just started the challenge!" Noah croaked.

"Not with the challenge, with trying to be reasonable."

All six team members stared at each other until Chris sounded the horn again. "Hey, Staci and Brick, you're up!"

Staci told her team, "Wish me luck, guys," and stepped onto the platform with stick in hand. Brick did the same.

Chris sounded the airhorn for the final time during the round and Staci, fueled by vengeance, plowed her weapon into Brick when they met in the center of the arena. Brick deflected the blow and attempted a swing at the girl's legs.

Staci jumped and brought the stick down on the cadet's shoulder, causing him to collapse to the ground.

"Get up!" roared Eva. "Don't let her push you off!"

Brick dropped his stick and pushed against Staci's force, but was soon overpowered because of his hurting shoulder and was shoved over the side by the chubby camper.

"I call that one 'The Staci Triple Threat' and I invented it!" Staci shouted.

Samantha groaned and facepalmed. "Seriously?" she whispered.

Chris used his remote to add another point to the Foxes' score, tying up the game once again. "Alright, campers! Round one has ended and its strategizing time!"

Each team began to talk amongst themselves as Chris looked into the camera and smiled. "It's a tie game with lots of mud, no blood, and maybe a broken rib or two, but the action is just getting started. Stay tuned to find out who will win, and who gets a free flight, right here on Total... Drama... Return of the Underdogs!"

~A/N~ Thanks for reading. If you want to leave any predictions in your reviews, feel free to. And if you haven't clicked that follow button, smack the crap out of it.