Previously on Nintendo Survivor,
As Fox was eliminated at the first tribal council, Zelda and Slippy knew they'd be in trouble if Energia Roja went to tribal council again. At the reward challenge, Energia Roja's strategy was working for them, as Daisy and Slippy tackled Velocidad Azul, winning them the competition. Back at Energia Roja's camp, many of the tribe members celebrated with their chocolate treats. At the immunity challenge, Naruto took a hard fall for the tribe after taking a risk underwater with his former ninja classmate, Sasuke. It didn't pay off, and Energia Roja was sent to tribal council again. Back at camp, it seemed like Slippy was the obvious choice to go, but after he made some fast talk and maneuvering, Zelda was voted out of the game in a 6-1 vote. Fourteen are left, who will become the Sole Survivor?

--

ENERGIA ROJA'S RETURN

"I just want to thank you guys so much." said a very grateful Slippy. His former alliance member, Zelda, was cast out of the game at the previous tribal council.

"Don't be thanking us just yet." Mario scolded. "We've got approximately four tribal councils left, give or take, and then the merge. If we go to tribal council, your chances of making it there are rather slim."

"Right, right. Just, wow. Thank you." praised Slippy, already disobeying Mario.

Meanwhile, Sakura sat down near the fire, staring off into the black sky. Naruto sat beside her.

"Something wrong?" he asked quietly. He knew how Sakura worked, and she could tick at the most random times, hence why he said that last statement very softly.

"Zelda." she replied.

"What about her?"

"I lied to her."

"So? Lying is a part of the game."

"But I told her she wasn't going. We changed it up. If she was a jury member, there goes a vote for me at the end."

"I guess so. But don't beat yourself up over it. She isn't a jury member, and you're not as devious and evil as you may think you are." Sakura laughed at that.

For once, she forgot all about Sasuke, and chasing him. She forgot about rejection, and trying again.

They leaned in…

--

DAY 7: Your Ex-Lover Is Dead



Back at Velocidad Azul, the tribe was celebrating their second immunity challenge win. Well, almost everyone. Link felt horrible.

Midna's pedestal still contained the coveted immunity idol. With the immunity idol, the tribe was safe from tribal council. The entire tribe of Luigi, Link, Navi, Midna, Krystal, Falco, Sasuke, and Hinata would continue until the next immunity challenge. But there can only be one remaining at the end, and if Velocidad Azul was thinking realistically, the chances of all eight of them making it to the merge was rather slim.

Thank God they were thinking realistically. Link, Navi, and Midna had already formed an alliance along with Sasuke and Hinata. With their votes, they could easily take out Krystal, Falco, and Luigi in that order.

Anyway, back to Link. He's feeling horrible, remember? It was about three paragraphs ago. Well, anyway, it was raining back at camp, and while people were taking this time to get a pure jungle shower, Link chose to spend his time in the shelter, sulking.

Navi flew over, and well, floated next to Link.

"Link, you okay?"

"Zelda."

"Yeah… you obviously are worried about her."

"Well, you rescue a person so much… when you're finally not in control of her survival…"

"Okay, Link. This is Survivor. They're searching for one survivor. If you are going to be that survivor, you can't possibly be thinking about romantic relationships at this time. It's stupid, and I may be sounding like Midna, but if your lover is out of the game, who cares? Zelda may have been a nice addition to the alliance, but if we can't update her, she is of no use to us. Now, get up and smile."

Link got up. He wasn't smiling.

"Good enough. Link, we'll find out at the next immunity challenge. Don't worry."

"Thanks, Navi." But secretly, inside, he wasn't following what Navi said. Only one thought ringed in his mind as she flew away.

"Zelda…" But no response ringed back. At least, none that he could hear.

"Link…"

--

DAY 8: Romance Blossoms at Energia Roja

"You did what?!" Peach and Daisy couldn't get over it. Sakura had kissed Naruto? They didn't understand.

"It was a quick one." Sakura was really trying to cover up.

"Oh yeah, from what I could see. You two were full-out French kissing, in other words, making out at the fire." Mario had finally joined in on the conversation.

"Oh come on, it's not that bad."

"Wait 'till I tell Sasuke!" Daisy was being a real tease.

Sakura put her head down. "Sasuke hates me."

Peach turned to Mario. She made a motion as if to tell Sakura something. Mario sighed then sat down beside her. "He doesn't hate you, and if he does, flick him off. Guess what, you have Naruto, and although you may be the most unlikely couple in the world, you guys are one of the loveliest."

Peach and Daisy softly sighed.

Peach turned to Daisy. "This has totally got to be one of the most romantic seasons of Survivor ever."

"Totally." As Mario walked to Peach, she turned to him. "Let's not stop it now."

Again, another kiss as the two walked away.

Daisy looked to the sky. Where was Luigi when she needed him?

--

DAY 9: Bonding Ties

Ray showed up at the next immunity challenge. Velocidad Azul was already on their mat.

"Hello, guys." Again, scattered "hellos."

"Let's bring in Energia Roja." The six members were brought in. Link began to count.

"Mario…"

"Naruto…"

"Sakura…"

"Slippy…"

"Daisy…"

He prayed that the last one would have blonde hair and a pink dress. That was all he wanted.

"Peach."

Okay, it was close. Blonde hair, pink dress, a princess… but it wasn't Zelda, and even a cartoonish look-a-like could never replace her.

Link placed his head down in a mixture of disappointment and sadness. Midna placed a comforting arm around him. Link looked up in hope.

"Zelda: voted out at the last tribal council." That was the sentence where Link knew. His lover had been voted out of the game.

"Link…" He looked up. Zelda was standing in front of him. He heard strains of violins and various other instruments playing an all too familiar romantic theme. Suddenly, he felt so happy. He reached out.

His hand went right through her.

It was only a daydream.

Link was again, sadly jarred into reality by Ray's voice. "Let's get to today's challenge. Your entire tribe will be tied together by ropes on your waists. You'll run through an obstacle course with these ropes on until you reach the finish line. The first tribe to have all six members on the mat will win immunity, and will be safe from tribal council."

"Velocidad Azul, you have two extra members. Hinata has to participate, as she sat out at the last challenge. Who is sitting out?"

Navi looked at Link, how sad he looked. Navi also looked at the ropes, how restraining and uncomfortable they looked to be wrapped around her.

She quickly made a decision and flew to raise Link's hand.

"We are, Ray."

Link turned to Navi. His hand was raised.

"Navi!"

"Link, no matter how hard you think you can, you can't. Sit out, and let's talk."

Grudgingly, "Fine."

"Link and Navi are sitting out. Everyone else, line up."

After about five minutes getting everyone in the ropes and adjusted to fit smaller waists, the immunity challenge was ready.

"For immunity…"

The tribes prepared.

"GO!"

Navi and Link sat down.

"Navi, why did you do that? That was suicide for our tribe."

"Oh, stop praising yourself, Link. You may be the strongest in our tribe, but I'm sure Sasuke will take up leadership responsibilities better than you could ever provide."

"Hey!"

"Shut up. All I'm saying is that you need a self-esteem boost."

"What boost? Zelda is gone. My world is crushed."

"She's still alive, isn't she? What would you have become if she died? She's still alive, Link. That's what matters. This isn't life or death. You've sacrificed so much for her in every game, lives to be replaced by 'Game Overs' and 'Try Agains.' Now it's her turn to take a 'Game Over' for you. Sure, there is no 'Try Again,' but there is for you. Zelda left to get you further. You will get further, hopefully to the end. I will take a sacrifice for you, and I know you'd take a sacrifice for me. It's the same with Midna. We're family, Link. If we lose a member, we'll see each other again, and we'll all look back on this and be proud of what we have done."

"Yeah…"

Navi looked up.

The immunity challenge was not going well for Velocidad Azul. Their first obstacle of climbing a fence had been difficult, and Energia Roja was hopping through the hoops that were their second obstacle. Velocidad Azul was attempting to do the same, but Hinata had tripped, and it was hard to get her up without dragging her or hurting her in some way. So they had to wait until she got up to continue.

Energia Roja had gotten through their second obstacle.

Sasuke had been the lead this entire time. He wasn't going to let a plumber stop him.

"Let's go!" He pulled. Hinata wailed. Her face had gone into the sand. Several tribe members had also tripped by Sasuke's sudden outburst. But he had to prove his strength. He would carry the weight of the world if he had to, why should a few hundred pounds be no exception?

"Sasuke, you jerk!" Midna. He didn't care. He dragged his tribe mercilessly, slowly, and painfully towards the third obstacle. But it was too late.

Carrying the weight of the world is too much of a task to do by oneself. Sasuke suddenly realized this as Energia Roja pulled themselves through the wooden tower that was their third obstacle. All six members allowed themselves to step on the mat and bask in their victory.

"ENERGIA ROJA WINS IMMUNITY!"

Ray's voice yelled this as the tribe of red cheered. They had won their first immunity, and for the first time, they were not going to tribal council.

To take their place, Velocidad Azul was, and a very unhappy Velocidad Azul at that.

Link had his head down. This day was becoming a double whammy for him.

Navi stared and slowly contemplated her choices.

--

PREPARATION FOR TRIBAL COUNCIL

Navi and Midna were having a private meeting in the forest. As the smallest members of the tribe, they could go unnoticed work ethic-wise. After all, nobody expected a fairy to pick up wood or build a shelter all by herself.

Moving on, they were contemplating their choices for tribal council.

"What should we do?" asked Midna.

"Let's look at the information we have." Navi proceeded to explain.

"Sasuke: we blindside him for what he did at the immunity challenge. His only purpose here is to win, and he will trip up all of us in the process if we get in his way."

"True… but I don't think so." Midna thought.

"Link—"

"No!"

"Let me finish. We vote him out, he'll be happier. We can't go on with a wounded soldier."

"I can't go on leaving a man behind."

"Have you seen him lately? He is crying every other hour, and he claims hearing her voice."

"He's overreacting. It's been a hard day for him. I promise you, he'll be better in the morning."

Navi thought. "If he doesn't?"

"Fine. If he does not recover from this supposed daze or whatever you're calling it, we'll vote him out the next time we get the chance. Happy?"

Navi paused.

"Okay."

"What was the other choice?"

"Going with the original plan."

"Ah, voting out Krystal. I see…"

"What do you think?"

For that, Midna had no answer.

--

THE THIRD TRIBAL COUNCIL – VELOCIDAD AZUL

The tribe of Velocidad Azul took their walk into tribal council for the first time.

"Behind each of you is a torch." Ray began. "Go ahead, grab a torch and approach the flame. This is part of the ritual of Tribal Council because in this game, fire represents your life. As long as you have that fire, you're in the game. When your fire's gone, so are you."

"Congratulations, guys. You had a pretty good winning streak going there. But you chose to sit out the very person who was apparently keeping the tribe together. Link, why?"

Link looked at Navi carefully choosing his words. "According to a good friend, I was sick."

"A good friend?"

"Yes, a good friend, Ray."

"Were you sick?"

The entire tribe turned to Link.

"Somewhat."

"Okay, Sasuke. You had a little outburst. What happened?"

Sasuke was looking down. "I just didn't feel like losing today, if that's okay with you."

"Umm… okay then. Yeah, moving on, Luigi, do you feel in any immediate danger tonight?"

"Definitely, and for good reasons. I'm the only Mario character here, I'm not a physical threat, my work ethic is horrible, and overall, I stink at this game! How wonderful is that?!"

"Okay, apparently, this tribe is very bitter, so let's get down to it. Sasuke, you're up."

Here were some of the votes:

Falco voted for Link. "We're only doing this for your good."
Link voted for Krystal. "Nothing against you, just trying to get further in this game."
Navi's vote will remain anonymous. "We can't continue with you as our burden."

After Midna's vote, Ray got up. "I'll go tally the votes."

After some moments, Ray came back with a jar. "Once the votes are read, the decision is final. Person voted out will be asked to leave the Tribal Council area immediately." With that, he took off the lid of the jar and began to read.

"First vote: Link."

"Second vote: Krystal."

"Third vote: Link."

"Fourth vote: Krystal."

"Fifth vote: Navi."

That was a rogue vote. She turned her head to see what it was. But it was probably what it was: a rogue vote.

"Sixth vote: Krystal."

"Third person voted out of Nintendo Survivor: Mystic Ruins: Krystal. That's enough, you need to bring me your torch."

Krystal got up and hugged Falco. She brought her torch to Ray to be extinguished.

"Krystal, the tribe has spoken." He said this with a cold heart as he snuffed her torch.

"Bye, guys, I'll see you at the reunion!" She merrily trotted down the path, never to be seen again.

Ray turned to the now seven-member Velocidad Azul. "Well, as seen here, the obvious vote isn't always the result. Congrats on your first tribal council and you may head back to camp."

Velocidad Azul heeded the instructions, and left the area.

Krystal's Final Words:
"I had so much fun while it lasted. I didn't get to show many sides of me, but I had an awesome time while I was here, and I hoped I could have stayed further. There were many shocks along the way, but I congratulate myself for even living out here, and I can't wait to see everyone at the reunion. Bye!"

Voting History:
Votes for Krystal: Link, Navi, Midna, Sasuke, Hinata
Votes for Link: Krystal, Falco
Votes for Navi: Luigi

A/N: Yay! First author's note! Whatever, anyway, I'd just like to note Day 7's title. I was listening to a song called "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" by Stars when I wrote that chapter, and it helped me reveal a romantic side of my writing in the last chapter, something I had never seen before. So, check it out, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Sometimes you need a little bit of someone else's creativity to express your own creativity. So, with that said, thanks and please review!