Quarantine: A PokemonMD Reality Show

by Lasirus

18 Pokemon, three from each gen, find themselves in a post-apocalyptic gameshow where they will battle it out for the prizes of their dreams. Contains Pokemon Anthros. It's a story similar to the Total Drama series, but is not a true crossover.

2. Chapter 2: Building a Stairway to Haven

Episode 2: Building a Stairway to Haven

-Calm Before the Storm-

It was day two at Quarantine. Morning had rose on the establishment, causing the contestants to go out and catch breakfast. Drenig, in particular was trying to hunt down a primitive-Tauros with a hunting spear. His friend Dustin was helping him along.

"Oh brave Drenig," Dustin said. "Go fourth to seize the monster, and claim its spoils."

"Right," Drenig said, feeling a bit nervous right now.

-Confessional Session(Drenig)-

"Sure I enjoy burgers man," Drenig started. "But I've never actually killed my own. I know it's part of life but... when you really get to a point where you have to kill your own food, that's when it's hardest to stare at your plate and want to eat your burger."

-After Confessional-

"What did that one show say about parabola, again?" Drenig asked himself before throwing his spear out. Much to his surprise, he nailed the Tauros.

"Weak point struck for critical damage," Dustin said. "Good showing, brave hero."

"He he, thanks?" Drenig said before aiming for a primitive-Combuseken. He shot his spear up and out and landed another hit on the poor creature.\

Wren and Stawolt were nearby and they saw Drenig's impressive aim. They couldn't help but feel proud for him.

"Hey, you're pretty good," Wren said. "Where did you get that throwing arm?"

"Ay man, it's nothing really," Drenig said humbly. "At the mechanics shop, we get a TV to watch while we work, but mostly just educational shows about science and history. They had a show one day about parabola that mentions the science behind airborne objects and how everything flies in an arc. It suggested to aim higher than your target. It's been working for me so far. Me and Dustin play lawn darts all the time and pretty soon I got really good at exploiting parabola."

"Duh, what does parabola mean?" Stawolt asked.

"Didn't I just explain it?" Drenig asked.

"No," Stawolt started. "You just said parabola then went off and talked about science about airborne objects and arcs."

"That's parabola," Drenig said.

"Uhhhh," Stawolt started to stutter. "You lost me. I'm not good with big words."

"Alright man, from the top," Drenig said.

As Drenig was re-explaining parabola to Stawolt, Wren trailed off to find the others. Eventually he found Riley right where he expected, by himself. He was sitting in a tree with a huge branch, not doing much of anything but looking out. Wren waited for him to notice his presence before speaking up.

"What do you want?" Riley asked.

"You seem lonely up there," Wren said. "Anything you want me to do?"

"Yes, leave," Riley said.

"You seem to take the lone wolf motif very seriously, Riley," Wren stated.

Riley took a deep breath before talking. "Do I need to start a countdown?" Riley asked, highly annoyed by Wren's presence.

"There will be time for being alone if they ever merge our teams," Wren said. "But people won't value your presence if you only fend for yourself."

"Three..." Riley counted.

"You're part of a team now and you need to realize it," Wren suggested. "I mean that's what will likely decide who stays and goes this early in the show is who's a valuable member of the team."

"Two..." Riley counted again.

"Look, I know it's hard to think about working in a team," Wren said. "I... I used to be a loner too."

Riley took a pause to think about what Wren was saying. "Go on," he implored.

"As a kid I always hated working in a team. It especially got hard when a lot of the kids in gym-class were bullies. In the end I ended up not partaking in the things I would otherwise have liked doing." Wren started to look a bit sad as he was talking.

"...One," Riley counted once more.

"Wait, hear me out!" Wren pleaded.

"I don't dislike working in a team because I'm too soft to put up with the big scary badguys," Riley started. "Every time I go into a team, my team mates are always holding me back! Weak and useless. What's the point of working on a team if the members are useless? And even when they're not, there's always something about them that makes them unlikeable. And you for example are a pansy goody two-shoes who WON'T SHUT UP!"

"But maybe you can see we can be strong AND likeable at the same time," Wren suggested. "After all, you don't look like you're even trying to get to know us. Maybe if you knew us more, you could see that we CAN be likeable, and we CAN be strong."

"You're wasting your breath," Riley said, getting angrier by the minute.

"You know, part of it is what you make of it," Wren said. "You choose to see people as unlikable, and in turn it ends up making you unlikable. You ever find the clue, we'll all be there to accept your help. But for now, you need time to think."

Wren was not finished with trying to help Riley, but for now Riley was pushing his buttons and he needed time away.

-Confessional Session(Wren)-

*Sigh* "I've never told anyone about being bullied in school to anyone but Riley," Wren said. "But then again, that's cause I kiiiinda made that whole bit up. Hey, we all lie. No one's perfect. I was just trying to help Riley. I hope it's not too late for him, cause I still want to help him work as a team."

-After Confessional-

Drenig wasn't the only one with a successful hunt. Kiki was out there going to town on the local wildlife, managing to nab a nice juicy primitive Emboar. Kiki seemed to be enjoying herself as she nabbed a second one. Aria and Pudge were nearby watching her.

"Ay, don't you think you should leave some of the wildlife for tomorrow?" Aria asked Kiki. ...But Kiki did not respond.

"Wow, he's strong," Pudge said. "He's a Judo expert? I bet he wins a lot of Judo tourneys. And look at his aim! I bet he could even..." Aria had enough of him referring to Kiki as a "him" and cut him off.

"What, you assume Kiki is male because?" Aria asked. "Because she's strong? Because she's athletic? Because she could beat males in her same rank? Is that why you refer to her as a he?"

"Maam, I think you need to look closer," Pudge said. "No female could throw that well."

"Excuse me?" Kiki blurted out upon coming to the group. "I get it that your young and you're not used to seeing females preform as such, but one day you will have gotten your butt kicked by so many girls you will learn to respect the opposite gender!" Kiki would not tolerate Pudge's sexist comments.

-Confessional Session(Kiki)-

"I'm so glad kids usually grow out of that phase," Kiki said. "But Pudge needs to grow out of it soon. I will bet if any of the other competitors caught him pulling that stunt, he would likely regret he did so."

-After Confessional-

Over by the other team, Percy and Jet were in charge of spearing animals for food. Percy in particular was having a bit of trouble. He threw a spear at a primitive-Tauros, but missed it by a wide margin.

"Yay Percy! Go Percy!" Jet said sarcastically, deciding to be a smart-alack about things. "You're so strong, everyone loves you!"

"Your taunting doesn't help," Percy said before throwing another spear and missing again. "Today's not been my day. Maybe if I tried to give it all I got I could,"

'Why don't you give it all to me?" Jet yelled, nabbing a spear away from Percy. "Let me show you how it's done!" Jet then threw his spear at the Tauros, and he nabbed it right where it hurt. "See? THAT'S how you catch your breakfast."

-Confessional Session(Percy)-

"I hate to admit it," Percy started. "But Jet does have some considerable skill. He will be a truly strong component to our team. But yeesh, that ego of his! Not something I'd particularly like to have nagging in my ear all the time."

-After Confessional-

Jet swiftly fell another primitive Pokemon, and felt the need to gloat about it. What was his bag?

"Well look here," Jet started. "The mighty Percy. Shamed in front of all his admirers.

"You are so jealous, it's not even funny!" Dylan said, approaching Percy and Jet. Percy was carrying a bucket of water that would be useful for drinking. "Maybe no one cheers for YOU is because YOU aren't likeable!"

"Ha! You're the one who's jealous!" Jet taunted.

"Alright, you win," Percy said, deciding to humor Jet. "All hail Jet in his majesty."

"Ha! You know it!" Jet said proudly.

"Jet, I think he's being sarcastic," Percy pointed out.

"Aww, don't be a spoil sport," Jet stated sarcastically, acting like a smart-alack again.

In Quarantine, there was a fence across the entire area that separated the two camps. Lilly and Yoshi were standing on the fence, watching Muffy throwing spears at a primitive-gogoat. After a few misses, she eventually hit her target. But then she ran up to it and started to punch at its head. She seemed to be angry as usual.

"Is that really necessary?" Lilly asked.

"Must! Be! Strong!" Muffy cried.

"Why do you want to be above other people so much?" Yoshi asked.

"You wouldn't understand!" Muffy yelled.

"I think I do," Yoshi said. "You hate thinking that you're week, so you try to make yourself feel strong by bullying people."

"That's not it at..." Miff started, trying to stay strong, but eventually cracking under pressure. "...All. I don't want to be week."

"I think I can help you," Yoshi said. "Would you like to talk about things?"

"I don't even know," Muffy whimpered.

"You might feel better," Yoshi suggested. Muffy started to conflict with her thoughts.

"I... No!" Muffy cried. "I am not weak! I don't need to talk, I can figure things out myself!" Muffy then ran off, unable to take the pressure of being exposed.

"Wait, maybe you can't," Yoshi said, running after Muffy. "I insist we talk things over."

-Confessional Session(Muffy)-

"I don't want everyone to think I'm weak!" Muffy yelled to the camera. "I don't want Yoshi or anyone else to tell everyone "Oh look at the poor Granbul, she's troubled. We should all laugh at poor meek and miserable Muffy." Never again! I need to prove myself that I am not little miss Muffy-cake anymore!"

-Confessional Session(Yoshi)-

"She seems upset," Yoshi assumed. "Something happened in her life that causes her to bully. She seems so delicate, like she is trying to forget. I wish I could do more to help her. *Sigh* In my country it is dishonorable to bother someone when they do not wish to be bothered, but in this case maybe it's best to intervene."

-After Confessional-

But of course, Lilly still wasn't alone. Creeping up behind her from the other side of the fence was her admirer Chauncey.

"Doth we squander our existence on opposite sides of the resistance," Chauncey said. "A lone flower a bloom an arid waste, a torrent of water brought forth with haste. I am the rain which..."

"Dude, I don't hate you," Lilly started. "But I'm not interested." Lilly walked away from Chauncey, denying him once more.

"Come back lone flower!" Chauncey cried in vain. Lilly really didn't have any interest in him.

-Confessional Session(Lilly)-

"Is there more to him than just a satellite that revolves around me?" Lilly asked. "He's not even asking who I am or where I came from, no. He's just diving right in with "I am your one true love" and whatnot. He has no idea how love works"

-After Confessional-

Back at the Artic-Uno camp, Ruce was playing with Abigale and Grant was doing... something. He had a stack of coconuts in the shape of a humanoid and a small rectangle made of coconut shells.

"Behold!" Grant exclaimed. "The device is complete!"

Ruce and Abigale both looked at the coconuts and then went back to playing with Eevee dolls.

"That's nice," they both said in unison.

"Now to turn it on!" Grant said as he pushed down on his rectangle. ...Nothing happened.

"What exactly are you trying to do?" Ruce asked.

"Don't you fools see?" Grant asked. "This is a prototype of what will become my ultimate destructo robot!"

"Of doom?" Ruce asked rhetorically.

"DOOOOOM! There will be plenty of it!" Grant proclaimed.

"You can't make a robot without wires," Abigale pointed out. Grant watched as the head on his "coconut robot" fell off the stack, revealing hollow insides. Grant giggled a bit at the pile.

"Of course not," Grant said. "Hence why I said "Prototype."

The other contestants were getting back to their bunkers with all their spoils. A supply of meat that would last all day, plus fresh drinking water. And as everyone got near, they noticed steps leading up to their starting point. Why were they there? Suddenly, Bertram's face appeared on the screens again.

"Everyone must proceed to climb the steps outside your bunkers," He said. "I have a game-changing surprise waiting for you up there."

"Awww, can't we eat first?" Pudge asked the monitor. Bertram rolled his eyes.

"Oh alright, you have thirty minutes to eat," Bertram said. "But after that, get up the steps."

After Bertram logged off, everyone went about to make their breakfast. The Pokemon were not used to eating like cavemen, but they got by fine enough. Eventually everyone had finished breakfast, and the big reveal was about to show itself.

-The Exile Chamber-

"So what's so important you had to drag us here?" Dylan asked Bertram after he reached the top. Up there both teams got to see each other face to face with no fence, but something seemed different about the starting gate. It was gone! Replaces with a bunch of big tubes and a strong looking door. There was green gas flowing through these tubes as well as a wall connecting all the tubes.

"Gee, with that kind of intro, I don't feel like telling you," Bertram said.

"Yeah, Dylan, be a bit more positive," Percy said happily.

"Whatever," Dylan said, rolling his eyes at Percy.

"Everyone, this is the Quarantine Chamber," Bertram stated.

"Let me guess," Lilly started. "Having to be sent in there is bad."

"Yes, very much so," Bertram said. "As it turns out we have a lot of tubs of powdered milk come in from another facility. Sadly the zombies managed to get at one of the jugs and now it's contaminated with the zombie virus. We know which tub of milk it was, but it's indistinguishable from the other tubs."

"And the challenge is to figure out which one is the contaminated one?" Drenig asked.

"No," Bertram said. "Unfortunately the person in charge of preparing the milk is a bit hard of hearing. I told him "Do NOT use the tub I set aside," but nope. He always insists on making at least one glass of milk with the contaminated stuff. It's gotten the point where I don't know what to do anymore, since he always mixes the glasses up. So at this point, I'm thinking "what could POSSIBLY go wrong" and it's going to be fed to one of you."

"Wait, WHY!?" Ruce asked loudly.

"Why else," Aria asked. "You're feeding it to eliminated contestants."

"Precisely," Bertram said.

"And contestants choose who gets to drink the contaminated milk," Aria continued.

"Correct again," Bertam said.

"And all that happens to a team that loses," Aria said lastly.

"Are you psychic or something?" Bertram asked.

"I'm psychic type," Aria responded. "But you don't need to be to figure it out. It's very simple, really."

"...Am I the only one who thinks her voice is pleasantly soothing?" Yoshi asked his team quietly, refering to Aria.

"And in conclusion of the whole ordeal," Bertram continued. "The person who drinks the contaminated milk will be sent in there: The Quarantine Chamber. You get put in there, that means the game is over for you."

"Ha! Scary chamber Bertram," Jet said. "Glad I'm never going there."

"That's the spirit," Bertram humored. "Confidence, Jet! ...And then it'll blow up in your face."

"I'd like to see him blow up period," Riley said. Riley already had to put up with his attitude in the hurdle race, so he didn't think much of him at all.

"And remember, once you have entered," Bertram started. "You can never EVER come back to Quarantine. EVER!"

Everyone gasped at the comment before an evil laugh sounded to everyone's dismay. But once everyone was done acting shocked, they looked over to find that it was Grant doing the laughing, of course.

"What?" Grant asked. "It fit the mood."

"Now then, everyone back to their bunkers please," Bertram said as he watched the groups leave back to their bunkers. Everyone had time to think about what they should have known was coming. But when Bertram looked closer, he noticed only eight contestants going back to the Zap-Dos camp, and ten going over to Artic-Uno. Bertram shook his head to make sure his eyes were working.

Sure enough, a certain "satellite" was revolving around Lilly again. Chauncey was supposed to be going back to Zap-Dos, but instead followed Lilly down the steps.

"You didn't get to hear all of my poem," Chauncey said. "Why don't I read the rest. Oh, how did it go?" Chauncey fiddled around with the paper he rolled into a scroll and tried to read it. ...Right up to when Lilly cut him off.

"Listen," She started. "Nothing personal, but you can't just rush into love. You think you can just tell someone you love them and they're fine with it. No, the harsh reality is that when you try that, people including your intrest of love think less of you. You aren't even trying to get to know me first, which shows you're new to this whole love thing. And until you realize that, it's not gonna work. ...Let that sink in."

Chauncey started to feel very sad after being rejected. He really was new to love, and rejection came with the package.

"GET BACK TO YOUR OWN TEAM YOU STUPID STICK-FIGURE!" Bertram roared as he caught Chauncey red-handed trying to join the other team. Chauncey climbed back up the stairs and went to rejoin his team.

-Confessional Session(Chauncey)-

"What if I am taking the wrong approach to things?" Chauncey asked himself. "Maybe I should try to get to know her more. ...Or maybe it's just not meant to be. Maybe I should put her aside for now and focus on helping my team out."

-After Confessional-

Over on team Zap-Dos, the group was nearing their bunker. Drenig was the first to reach the door, and Dustin felt like making a lighthearted comment.

"Open sesame," he said. "That's what one of the people I L.A.R.P. with likes to say when opening a door."

"Aym tryin' man," Drenig said. "The doors not opening."

"Wait, what?" Aria asked before walking over to the door. "That can't be right."

Sure enough, Aria tried to open the door. She had no better luck than Drenig did.

"Oh please, let me," Kiki offered. She first did a little Tai-chi in front of the door. Then she unleashed a barage of punches and kicks at the door, hoping to bust it open. ...But it was no use. Kiki was only mortal, and that door wouldn't budge.

"What's going on, Bertram?" Kiki called out.

...But over on the other side, the teams weren't having any luck, either. Yoshi was trying to open the door, but to no avail.

"This is very mysterious," Yoshi commented.

"Come on, COME ON!" Muffy yelled, trying to open the door herself.

"Maybe Percy should try it," Yoshi said.

"Ugh, Percy Percy Percy!" Jet cried. "Who kicked his butt at hunting this morning!?"

"No one cares!" Dylan yelled.

Eventually, Percy examined the lock. It didn't look like he was even going to attempt to open it.

"Oops, sorry," Bertram popped in on the screen behind the two teams. "I forgot to tell you the locksmith came to work on your doors, and he forgot to unlock them."

"Wait, is the situation at hand genuine?" Chauncey asked Bertram.

"They can't do this to us," Stawolt said hopefully.

"I don't wanna sleep on the ground," Pudge whined.

"Ugh, this is all part of the challenge, isn't it?" Aria asked.

"Stop being a smart-alack!" Bertram said. "Now, the Locksmith keeps his quarters in an abandoned warehouse atop a cliff-side. The locksmith is very protective so he has his ladder curled up at the top. Only by hitting a release stake will you be able to access this rope ladder to his warehouse. It's safe to assume he left the key there. The first to retrieve the key and open their bunker wins. And the losing team will be sending someone home!"

"Looks like we're gonna be taking a bit of pressure," Ruce stated. "I can only assume the other team will work even harder after yesterday. So we have to work harder too."

"Oh ya don't say!" Dylan back-talked.

"Every word you say makes me want to cave your skull in," Muffy said angrily.

"Your attitude really could use some work," Percy stated.

"No one asked you, fatty!" Dylan lashed out. Percy released his tail from his waste again, to show he was just very muscular and not top-heavy.

"How many times do I have to tell you?" Percy asked. "I am NOT fat! When I grasp my waste with my tail, it just makes me puff up! Are we clear."

"Uhhh, the challenge has started by the way," Bertram said to team Artic-Uno.

"There will be plenty of time for that latter!" Ruce said. "We have to get going!" And so, BOTH teams were heading out near the warehouse. ...The only problem was neither team knew where there warehouse was.

-Where House?-

After a good ten minutes of wandering around, team Zap-Dos was starting to feel tired.

"Ugh, that greedy beaver didn't even tell us where the warehouse was," Kiki said.

"My paws hurt," Pudge said.

"Maybe there's a sign somewhere," Stawolt suggested.

"Do you see any?" Riley asked.

"Maybe he's right, though," Wren said. "Look on the ground, there might be some tracks."

"But it's all dead grass," Drenig stated. "How will we tell?"

"Drenig, look behind you," Wren said. Drenig looked back and noticed large patches of bent grass, most likely from Drenig's feet.

"Grass leaves footprints just as well as dirt does," Wren stated.

"Ah, but what if the locksmith flew here and there," Chauncey suggested. Wren paused for a moment.

"Good point," he said. "Awww man, that would complicate things if it did."

"Thy divine skills in perception may come of use?" Dustin asked.

"Wait, what did you say?" Stawolt asked. Dustin shifted to his normal voice to answer.

"You're forgetting that I'm a Watchog," he said. "We have REALLY good sight. I bet I could pinpoint the location if I looked hard enough. Drenig, give me a boost."

"Awright man," Drenig said before hoisting Dustin up on his shoulders. Dustin then looked around to see if he could find it.

"Hmmm, still hard to tell," he said. "Stawolt, can you lift Drenig and I?"

"Duh, maybe. I dunno," Stawolt said. "I don't know if I've lifted anything that heavy."

"Just relax," Drenig said as he grabbed Stawolt's back and climbed up. "You're as tough as a rock anyway, so our weight shouldn't deter you that much."

As Drenig got on top of Stawolt, Dustin got a better view of his surroundings. Immediately, Dustin had a breakthrough.

"The vacant castle resides over there!" Dustin called out, pointing diagonally to where the group was already headed.

"Are you sure about that?" Aria asked. "I don't know for sure how credible your word is.

"Doth you doubt me?" Dustin said as he and Drenig were getting off Stawolt. Dustin shifted his voice again as he got off of Drenig. "Bertram said Warehouse atop a cliff. I saw just that over there. And if you doubt my word, do you have a better lead?"

"No, I suppose not," Aria said. "Alright, lead the way knight in shining armor."

"Right, it's about a mile this way," Dustin said, leading the others to what he saw.

But the other team found a better way of spotting the warehouse.

"Okay, NO ONE bothered to ask Bertram where the warehouse was?" Lilly asked.

"I don't think he'd have provided an answer," Ruce said.

"Why don't we split up?" Percy asked.

"Why don't you leave thinking to the experts," Jet taunted.

"Why don't you get stuck in a tree!" Muffy yelled.

"Tree... That's a good idea Muffy," Lilly said.

"Huh? I didn't have an idea," Muffy said.

"The tree," Abigale said, pointing to a tall dead tree. "If someone can climb it, they might be able to see the warehouse!"

"Ha! Stand aside ugly!" Jet said to Percy. "I've got this in the bag."

-Confessional Session(Percy)-

"What does Jet have against me anyway?" Percy asked. "I think he's just jealous cause I get most of the attention. People see a big mass of muscle like me and they expect to have hit the jackpot as far as team mates go."

-Confessional Session(Jet)-

"Jealous? Me?" Jet asked. "Yeah right. I got so much skill he couldn't touch. I just hate the fact he's getting all the attention and I'm not. I'm way more athletic than him!"

-After Confessional-

Jet had climbed the top of the tree almost effortlessly. Up there, he immediately saw the warehouse and climbed down to tell his team mates.

"Ha! It's over there," Jet said, pointing in a similar direction Dustin pointed to on his team.

"What are we waiting for?" Grant started. "To the warehouse!"

Team Artic-Uno was well on their way to the warehouse. When they got there, they saw a bunch of monitors, including a small one, a narrow one with what seemed to be instructions, and a big one showing an area much like the one they were in, with a lot of sticks, rocks, and the warehouse on the cliff. Eventually, Bertram appeared on the small screen.

"Congratulations Team Artic-Uno," Bertram started."You managed to make it to the Warehouse first." After a bit of applause from the team, Bertram resumed instructions.

"Now," he started. "I believe the key to your bunker is somewhere inside the locksmith's warehouse. But remember, you need to hit a release switch at the top of the cliff to let down a rope ladder. Use the sticks and rocks to hit the switch."

"Allow me," Jet said, immediately taking a stick that looked aerodynamic enough. "Now, here's how I took PERCY to school!"

Jet cranked his arm back and threw the stick way up high. ...But he did not hit the switch.

"Wah wah," Lilly taunted.

"Are you sure you know how to throw?" Yoshi asked.

"Please, I'm a professional," Jet said. "That was just unlucky."

"How much do you make to throw stuff?" Dylan asked.

"Oh please, being a professional is all about the skill," Jet said. "You don't need to make money to be a pro."

"Uh, yeah you do," Dylan stated. "That's what professional means: you make money doing it."

"Whatever," Jet said, throwing another stick at the target. Once again, he missed.

"Oh for goodness sake," Dylan said, upset with his lack of aim. Dylan then started to take some rocks and throw them at the target himself, but was having just as poor of luck.

But Team Zap-Dos had just caught up as Team Artic-Uno desperately tried to hit their target. They were at their spot and saw the big screen that showed Jet and Dylan throwing at the target.

"No! They got here first!" Pudge cried out.

"No, ya think?" Bertram said, appearing on their small screen. "Key. Warehouse. Switch. Throw sticks and rocks at target to let rope down, climb rope, go in warehouse, then find key. Simple."

"Hey, Drenig. You have a good arm," Wren said. "Why don't you throw for us?"

"Hey, I'm good too!" Kiki said, feeling a bit competitive.

"Well... I suppose I could try," Drenig said as he picked up a stick. He carefully cranked his arm and threw the stick at the target, but missed.

"Come on buddy, you can do it," Dustin supported.

Drenig let out a breath and picked up another stick He cranked his arm again and aimed a little hire, firing the stick at the target. Much to the team's surprise, Drenig hit the target. Afterwards, it released the ladder for the Pokemon to climb.

"Huh, not bad," Riley said to Drenig.

"Ha! Thanks man," Drenig said as he watched Dustin climb up first. Eventually, the others were climbing up one at a time to keep the weight balanced.

Over at Artic-Uno, tensions started to flare. Jet thinks he might have made a new rival.

"What!" he yelled. "That fat croc out-threw me? ME!" Jet continued to throw at the target, but kept missing. Eventually Muffy ran up to him and shoved him over. She picked a stick up and threw it straight into the target, also managing to outdo Jet.

"Ha! Throwing professional my tooth!" Muffy shouted before running up to the ladder and climbing up. When it came to climbing a ladder, Team Artic-Uno had an advantage. ...Because they didn't have Stawolt.

Eventually, everyone from team Zap-Dos had climbed up the ladder except Drenig and Stawolt. Drenig went first, and struggled to climb it with his poor strength to weight balance. But eventually he managed. But Stawolt was kinda scared.

"I... I think I'm too heavy," Stawolt said.

"Everyone must climb the ladder before going into the warehouse or they forfeit," Bertram said to him.

"But it doesn't look strong enough," Stawolt whined.

"Don't worry, it's stronger than it looks," Bertram said, trying to comfort Stawolt.

"Well... Okay." Eventually, Stawolt struggled to climb up.

"Come on big guy, they're catching up!" Aria stated. Sure enough, Team Artic-Uno was getting ahead.

"I'm trying!" Stawolt said, still struggling to get up the ladder. Eventually, Team Artic-Uno had all there members up.

"We're losing!" Pudge cried.

"Let's help Stawolt up," Chauncey said, grabbing the ladder. "Come on, this is a team effort!"

-Confessional Session(Chauncey)-

"Like I said," Chauncey reiterated. "I should put Lilly aside for now and focus on helping my team. They could kick me off any minute if I focused too much on her."

-After Confessional-

Everyone except Riley immediately grabbed onto the ladder and Kiki, but were still having trouble. They were pulling him up, but slowly.

"Come on Riley, help us," Wren said.

"Ugh, I suppose I might as well," he said. Riley grabbed what he could and pulled with everyone else. Eventually, they managed to pull Stawolt up above the cliff. Now Team Zap-Dos was back in the game.

"Team Zap-Dos!" Dustin cried, raising his arm in victory. ...But got no response.

"We're not out of the woods yet," Aria said. "Come on." Aria entered the warehouse before the others did, but the others followed in suit.

On Team Artic-Uno, the two teams were all looking through the warehouse. It wasn't very big, but finding the key might prove difficult.

"I think there should be an office somewhere," Ruce said while looking around.

"Hey, what about up there?" Abigale asked, pointing to a room and a flight of stairs leading to a catwalk.

"Good call sis," Ruce said before running off.

While everyone else was climbing the stairs, Grant went around to search for a missing component in his coconut robot of doom: Wires. It didn't take him long to find a whole box of them.

"Hey, no rule against it," Grant said to himself. "Then the Grant helps himself." He then stashed some of the wires in his coat and went to join the group.

As the group bust through the door to the office, the first thing that struck their attention was a note.

"What's this doing here?" Lilly asked before picking it up and reading it. "Today has not been my day. I was coming back from the bunker, and I forgot to give the owners their key. But when I dug in my pockets, the key was gone. I noticed a couple of Pachirisu run off with something shiny, and I'm almost certain it was the key. I've identified the Pachirisu as coming from the plantation nearby. I am sorry for inconveniencing you, but you will have to search there."

"Oh good lord," Dylan moaned.

"I don't think I need to say this," Bertram started, popping up in a TV in the locksmith's office. "But GO GET IT!"

"Bertram really likes testing us, doesn't he?" Abigale asked.

"How hard could it be to find a key in a plantation?" Jet asked.

"Why don't we head out and see?" Percy asked. "Let's get going."

Everyone started to run out of the room. This left Jet by himself to make another snarky comment.

"Oh, why don't we head out and see?" Jet mimicked to himself.

-Confessional Session(Lilly)-

"Well, this has been fun," Lilly said. "Bertram locked us out, then he sent us to a warehouse where the key would surely be, and now we have to chase a bunch of squirrels. I can see this is only a sample of what will come later in the season."

-After confessional-

Team Zap-Dos had received the same message as they ran out of their warehouse. Now they had to run to a plantation as well.

"Don't worry, he said the plantation was nearby," Chauncey stated, being the one who read his letter. Dustin had no problem spotting it.

"Fortress spotted," Dustin called out. "Time is of the essence! We must make haste!"

With that, the groups all ran toward the plantation they were supposed to go to. But they had to keep one thing in mind: they were likely still behind.

-The Key In The Tree-

"Come on, come on, we gotta catch up!" Pudge said, worried about their stance right now.

"You know, that doesn't help," Aria blurted as they were getting closer to the plantation.

Sure enough, the other team had made it there first. And inside the plantation were some lush scenery, including a big tree. At the top of the tree, you could just see something shiny hanging from a small branch. Like the warehouse, there was a bunch of screens, one depicting the other Plantation, one with Bertram's ugly mug, and a third with some more instructions.

"Well? Looks like your home is tied to that tree right now," he said. "But how do we get up there? Well it wouldn't be very practical to climb up the tree with all those leaves and branches in the way, would it?"

"I could always cut them down with my blades," Yoshi said.

"That's called using your abilities genius," Bertram said. "Remember, that's against the rules."

"Alright, what about an ax?" Yoshi asked.

"Sure," Bertram said. "I'm sure there's an ax laying around, but would that be practical? Like I said, do whatever."

As Bertram logged out, team Artic-Uno started to brainstorm.

"What if we got a ladder and climbed up," Abigale suggested.

"I doubt I've seen any ladders tall enough," Lilly stated.

"You know, if I still had my device I could just blast it down," Grant said.

"Would you give that stupid hunk of plastic a rest?" Lilly asked.

"What if we found this ax and chopped the tree down?" Percy asked.

"That would take forever," Muffy moaned.

"Please, let me just climb up," Jet said to the group.

"Ugh, do you ever use your head before your ego?" Dylan asked.

"No offense Dylan," Ruce started. "But that might not be as bad of an idea as you think."

"Oh sorry for pointing out the branches are probably too brittle," Dylan stated.

"We won't know unless we try," Jet said confidently. "Besides, I'm super light."

"Do you EVER SHUT UP!?" Dylan roared.

"Knock it off!" Ruce yelled. "Now's not the time for arguing, they've made it!" Ruce then pointed to the screen that showed Team Zap-Dos on the other end.

Over there, Bertram was giving instructions to Team Zap-Dos. Pretty much the same start on how to get the key.

"Hey! Let's burn the tree!" Pudge suggested. "The key will survive and the tree will be out of the way."

"First off," Aria started. "There's a huge sign out there that says "No destroying the plantlife." Second, burning that tree down will take way too long. The other team will have a better plan by then. Third, even if we do burn the tree down, the key will STILL be caught in all the commotion. We'd have to get buckets of water to put it out before going for the key. And finally, we also run the risk of destroying the whole facility in the process! Any questions?"

-Confessional Session(Pudge)-

"I'm not supposed to know all of that," Pudge said. "We haven't taken biology at school yet, I'm only in sixth grade. *Sigh* But Aria's voice is still beautiful. If there's anyone I wouldn't mind having as my biology teacher it's her."

-After Confessional-

"Thou must think of something," Dustin stated.

"Why don't I just..." Chauncey started. Bertram interrupted before he could finish.

"No using abilities INCLUDING any blades attached to your arms," he said. "I already told that to Yoshi."

"Maybe there's a slingshot somewhere," Wren said.

While they were coming up with ideas, Riley decided to walk off. Maybe he had a plan.

"Why would there be a slingshot in a plantation?" Kiki asked.

"I dunno, an emergency?" Wren said.

"I could just shake it," Stawolt asked.

"What will that do?" Drenig asked.

"Well, maybe I could shake the key off," Stawolt said.

"That huge thing?" Aria pointed to the size of the tree. "Good luck."

"I think I'll just let you guys talk things over," Bertram said before logging off. But on the big screen, Jet went up to it and decided to send the other team a message.

"Ha! You're wasting your time," Jet said. "Hey tubby! Yeah, you with pompadour! I'm talking to you!"

Drenig saw the screen and went over to it. Why was Jet talking to him.

"You think you can beat me at throwing?" Jet asked. "I'll teach you to mess with Jet. I'm gonna beat YOU and your entire team at this event."

"Get with the challenge!" Muffy cried.

"Don't worry, they're not smart enough to think to be doing the challenge while I'm talking," Jet stated before returning to the screen. "I'd like to see someone on your team do this!"

Jet rushed off toward the tree and started to scale it. He seemed very confident in his abilities. But over on Team Zap-Dos, they could hear a fit of frustration.

"Argh, come on!" Riley yelled.

The team looked over and saw him on a catwalk away from the tree. He was throwing objects at the key, but wasn't able to reach the key. But it did give Drenig a good idea.

-Confessional Session(Drenig)-

"Wow, Jet must take losing very seriously," Drenig said. "He seems to be fixated on the previous challenge where I beat him at throwing sticks. But if that's the way he's gonna play it, then I guess we get going. It's awn, man!"

-After Confessional-

"Come on, I have an idea," Drenig said as he rushed over to the Catwalk where Riley was. It was there where he initiated the plan. "From here I think I have enough height to hit the key from. If I can get a good shot at it, I might be able to knock the key down. Wren, you stay at the bottom and catch the key."

"Okay," Wren said simply.

"I hope you do well," Riley said as he stepped aside. "My opinion of you rides on this."

"Wait, what?" Drenig said. Dustin and Kiki came up to give him support.

"Thy trinket lies exactly there," Dustin said, pointing to the key.

Drenig found a small piece of pipe on the ground and chucked it the best he could.

"That frog's getting closer!" Pudge yelled as he watched the screen.

"I'm trying," Drenig said as he threw another piece of pipe at the key, but missed once again. "Give me a break, I'm only mortal," he said.

"Let me," Kiki requested. Kiki then picked up a pipe and threw it as hard as he could. She managed to hit the key, but it still stayed on the tree. However, the key was slipping off, which showed progress.

"He's almost there!" Pudge cried.

"Yes little one, we know," Aria said.

Drenig picked up one last piece of pipe and threw it one more time, nailing the key. The key fell out of the tree and onto the ground near Wren.

"I got the key," Wren called out as he bolted out of the building. Pudge, Aria, Stawolt and Chauncey were not far behind.

"Hmph, you are pretty good," Lilly said.

"Ay, you're pretty good too," Drenig complimented.

"You have my respect for now," Lilly said.

"I suppose you both have mine," Riley added.

-Confessional Session(Riley)-

"Okay. Maybe this team isn't so useless," he said. "Maybe there is some value in my team. ...Maybe I shouldn't take them for granted so much."

-Confessional Session(Kiki)-

"You may question why I complimented the Krookodile," she asked. "I don't like being outdone, but being equaled does have it's charm. A worthy opponent is the drive to work harder. And I've got quite a few obstacles to overcome."

-After Confessional-

Team Artic-Uno was feeling the burn as Team Zap-Dos achieved the key.

"Ugh, nice climbing skills slow-toad!" Dylan whined. "They got the key first!"

"Relax," Jet said as he climbed down the tree. "I got it now. All I have to do is beat them to the bunkers."

"Okay," Percy said, running alongside Jet as he was running out. "Good luck Jet."

"Thank you," Jet said confidently.

Over with Team Zap-Dos, Wren was sprinting his heart out. His team members nearby. Eventually they got to the warehouse and the cliff.

"Okay, we just climb down here and and back down the big hill to the bunker," Wren said.

"How hard can that be?" Chauncey asked. "We got this in the bag."

While the others were climbing down, Stawolt decided to jump down, being sturdy enough to survive a fall that high, which actually wasn't terribly high, but would still be high enough to kill some. But when Stawolt reached the bottom, he looked at the Warehouse's big screen that displayed the other team and noticed they were right behind, and Jet decided to jump too.

"Maybe not," Stawolt said. "Wren, give me the keys."

"No way, he's the slowest member on our team!" Pudge cried.

"It sounds like a bad idea," Aria said.

"If I can get to the hill before he reaches the bunkers, I might be able to beat him," Stawolt said.

No one else had finished their decent down the ladder. Wren was starting to consider his options.

"Do us proud, Stawolt," Wren said.

"Are you nuts!" Aria asked as Wren threw the keys to Stawolt.

"I'm on it," Stawolt said as he grabbed the keys and ran with all his might. "I won't let you down!"

Stawolt pumped his legs as hard as he could, hoping to at least keep up with Jet, but he couldn't tell until he got all the way to the fence line. He noticed Jet had a considerable lead. But coming up was the big hill.

"Ready," Stawolt said as he got near the hill. "Set," he said again getting to the edge. "RUMBLE!"

Stawolt jumped off the peak of the hill and spun to his side to roll like a ball. He had to do it that way cause if he curled inside, that would be using his abilities, so he did the next best thing that was inside the rules. He wouldn't get as much speed, but he would be able to stop himself easier. He hoped he would be fast enough down the hill.

Jet watched from his side as the giant boulder rumbled down the hill to the bunkers, gaining lot's of ground. This caused Jet to run even harder. But he couldn't run hard enough. Stawolt beat him all the way to the door. Stawolt managed to stop himself right near the door and quickly shove the key in the door's key-hole, and with one tug, the door opened, and Jet had just reached his door by the team.

"TEAM ZAP-DOS WINS!" Bertram proclaimed on the screens near the bunkers and the ones near the warehouse.

"What? He did it?" Aria said in disbelieve. "He did it!" Aria was not only surprised, but she was also happy her team won. ...But that comes naturally.

"Our brave champion has CONQUERED!" Dustin declared. "Three cheers for brave Sir Stawolt!" Everyone on team Zap-Dos raised their arms in cheer to congratulate Stawolt for beating Jet.

Over at the bunkers, Bertram was showing the footage of Team Zap-Dos cheering for their fellow team member. Stawolt felt so touched at his team. They doubted him, but now they were cheering for him. Stawolt couldn't help but cry at his team.

"Wahaha, thanks guys," he said as he fell on his back and started making snow angels on the ground. ...The ground that wasn't even covered in snow.

But team Artic-Uno was not feeling as happy right about now.

"I knew that stupid frog couldn't get it done," Dylan said. "Ugh, what a useless creature."

"Oh you're one to talk about useless!" Muffy yelled. "What did you do this entire challenge!?"

"What did ANY of us do?" Dylan asked. "We put too much reliance on him. He climbed the tree, he shot the ladder down, he ran all the way home and COULDN'T EVEN BEAT A ROCK!"

"I shot the ladder down, you idiot!" Muffy shouted.

-Confessional Session(Dylan)-

"You do see my point though," he started. "We basically let him do the entire challenge. And look where that got us? No where! This is a TEAM event, and we did not portray that!"

-Confessional Session(Ruce)-

"Dylan does have one point," Ruce started. "We did rely heavily on Jet for this challenge. But when it comes down to it, there is SOME truth in Jet's ego. You don't have to like him, but he is still a strong player. Sad to say, he's not getting my vote for elimination."

-After Confessional-

Team Zap-Dos regrouped at their bunker where Stawolt lied. They were still applauding him for getting it done. Bertram was on their screen to applaud them.

"I suppose I forgot to mention," he started. "The winning team not only gets to keep their members, but Mignon is serving up fresh Grade-A Primitive-Tauros burgers for you tonight as the winner. In addition, Wyler's beds is providing YOU with upgraded bed equipment, for a better night's sleep."

"Good, cause those beds are not doing it for my back," Drenig stated.

"Aww, but won't the zombies wake us up anyway?" Aria asked.

"Fortunately no," Bertram said. "I have had these bunkers locked away from the zombies, so they cannot get you tonight. Which means a good nights sleep for all of you." After a good sized cheer, Bertram said one last thing before logging off.

"Don't let this victory go to your head," he started. "Though you have won today, Artic Uno will not forget this loss. Tomorrow will be a whole new challenge, so rest up and enjoy your burgers. Until then, I have nothing left to say to you." And with that, Bertram logged off.

-Thinning The Herd-

It wasn't long before fresh burgers arrived at Team Zap-Dos. Drenig took no time digging in.

"Man, meat tastes so much better when you didn't kill it yourself," Drenig said.

"That's a bit hypocritical, don't you think?" Aria asked. "You have no problems eating a burger, but when it comes to killing your own food, you get all emotional about it."

"Well... no one's perfect," Drenig stated. "Yeah, I know it's hypocritical but... How many of us don't feel the same way. I mean raise your hand if you agree."

Drenig watched as Wren raised his hand, then Stawolt, then Pudge, and finally Chauncey. Kiki, Riley, Aria and Dustin kept them down.

"I guess I've never thought of it," Dustin started. "My dad would always take me hunting after a big L.A.R. act I do with some of my other friends, and over time I just accepted it."

"Honestly, I could care less," Riley said.

"Sometimes it's survival of the fittest," Kiki said."We're more fit than our primitive versions."

"... Ay guess I just don't know," Drenig said before taking a bite of his burger.

"Me neither," Wren said. "Drenig does have a point. Maybe it's that compasion that makes us what we are."

"Compassion?" Pudge asked. "Isn't that a type of berry?"

"No," Wren started. "Compassion is how we feel about other living beings. They say our primitive ancestors do actually harbor a sense of such, but we as Pokemon are only becoming more and more compassionate as we come of age."

"While it's true it is a bit hypocritical," Chauncey pointed out. "It is not unusual to feal that way, as many people do."

"Well... I suppose," Aria said.

Eventually, a knock on the door interrupted dinner. Pudge immediately ran up to the door, eager for the arrival of new beds.

"Oh boy, the mattress person is here," Pudge said enthusiastically.

The door opened up and there was a Vigoroth on the other side. There were a couple of Vigoroth in the background carrying some beds. And Pudge...

"Aaaah, scary monster!" Pudge just happened to be afraid of Vigoroths. The Vigoroth frowned as Pudge ran away, but resumed business on hand quickly afterward.

"Wyler's Beds, here to swap your mattresses out." There wasn't anything really relevant that happened during Wyler's visits. He and his crew replaced the beds, and that was pretty much it.

But over at Team Artic-Uno, they were gathering around the Quarantine Chamber.

"Well, I guess it's time," Jet said confidently as he and his team sat down in front of the chamber where Bertram was. "Time we rid the deadweights. Ha ha ha!" Jet seemed super confident that he was still in the game. But was his spot REALLY secure? The other contestants hated him.

-Confessional Session(Dylan)-

"I know EXACTLY who I'm voting for."

-Confessional Session(Muffy)-

"He is SO gone!"

-Confessional Session(Yoshi)-

"Well I don't mean to be rude but if we keep him on our team, who knows what will happen."

-Confessional Session(Abigale)-

"I really don't like him. He does not come off as pleasant at all."

-Confessional Session(Ruce)-

"He's next in line. Right now I've got my eyes on someone else."

-Confessional Session(Lilly)-

"Hmmm, no real point in having that annoying yapping football around."

-Confessional Session(Grant)-

"I like that Jet dude. He makes almost as potent of a villain as I do. Well, as I can portray anyway."

-Confessional Session(Percy)-

Percy was lifting his paws up and down. He would raise one paw and stare at it, then raise the other paw and stare at that. "It's not an easy choice, it really isn't."

-Confessional Session(Jet)-

"Ha! They know they need me," Jet said confidently. "Team Artic-Uno's nothing without yours truly."

-After Confessional-

Bertram started handing out glasses of milk to the competitors. When Abigale received hers, she zipped her fursuit open so she could drink it. Once he passed all the cups around, he went up to the table where he originally had the glasses of milk and started the ceremony.

"You will all be required to drink your milk," Bertram said. "Refusal to do so results in a disqualification, and you will be sent home."

Everyone took a swig of their glasses of milk, and immediately spit it out. None of them liked the taste. Only Jet kept his milk inside, probably because he was confident he wasn't going home.

"Hey, what did you expect? Chocolate Miltank milk?" Bertram asked. "You still have to drink it."

Everyone tried their hardest to drink the milk. Some even plugged their noses. Eventually, everyone had their drinks finished. Bertram went around to collect the empty glasses and put them back on the tables.

"In a few minutes, one of you will be gone," Bertram said. "I will list the people who did NOT drink the tainted milk."

"Yeah yeah, just say my name already," Jet said.

"Ugh, you are so annoying," Dylan yelled. "Shut up already!"

"Why don't you BOTH shut up!" Muffy shouted.

"As I was saying," Bertram started up again. "These eight Pokemon are safe. First, Ruce. You are safe."

Ruce ended up letting out a short but loud burp. Probably something in the milk.

"Excuse me," Ruce said. "I think the milk is making me a bit gassy."

"Next up," Bertram started once again. "Percy is safe. Third, Yoshi is also safe. Lilly is safe as well. Abigale, you can join the ranks of not going home today."

"Ha! My name's next," Jet blurted.

"Ugh, let's continue," Bertram said. "Muffy, you as well are safe. And the seventh Pokemon who is not going home is... Grant."

"Mwahahaha!" Grant laughed. Grant really was trying to push that evil genius motif.

"Wait, what about me?" Jet asked, feeling less confident. "They can't send me home."

"I can think of plenty of good reasons that we would," Dylan stated.

"Say my name, please!" Jet said, starting to get worried.

"The final person who is safe," Bertram started. "Is..."

"Say my name. Say my name! I can't go home yet!" Jet whined.

Bertram stared at Jet, really angry with his complaining. He was also stalling the group for suspense.

"Say my name! Say it! Please!" Jet cried, completely freaking out right now.

"Ugh, I cannot believe I'm about to say this," Bertram mumbled, gritting his teeth in the process. "But Jet, as much as I wish I didn't have to say this, but yes YOU ARE SAFE already!"

"Ha!" Jet proclaimed, quickly recovering from his worried state. "I knew it! My team couldn't let this talent go!"

"You SHOULD realize however," Bertram started. "That your team finds your attitude completely insufferable, and that the only reason most of them did NOT vote for you to leave today is because you actually helped your team."

"What!?" Dylan cried. "And I did not!?"

"No! You didn't!" Ruce yelled. "All you did in both today AND yesterday's challenge was complain! You did nothing to help your team, and THAT is why you're being sent home, because your attitude is not much better than Jet's!"

"We'd rather have someone who's annoying but useful on our team than someone who's annoying AND useless!" Muffy cried.

"Hence why I called him an annoying yapping football," Lilly said.

"You've made a terrible mistake!" Dylan yelled. "You have no idea what I am capable of! And now you are stuck with him! I hope you all realize the terrible mistake you've made!"

"Yeah yeah yeah," Bertram mocked before grabbing Dylan's fin. "Carry on now."

Bertram dragged Dylan to the Quarantine chamber and shoved him in. Dylan did not fight as much as you'd think he would have.

"Hmph!" Dylan grunted right before the door was slammed shut on him.

"Well Dylan," Bertram started. "It looks like Quarantine did not go in your favor at all. How does it feel that your entire team has turned on you?"

Dylan said nothing. He just averted his gaze and kept his fins crossed.

"Empty. That is how you feel," Bertram said before walking over to a button. "But, that's reality for you."

After he pressed the button, the chamber started to fill with what looked like green gas. Dylan started to get really worried.

"Hey!" He yelled. "Open this door! What's the big idea! Hey!"

Eventually, Dylan ran to the door and started to bang on it as the gas got thicker and thicker. Eventually, something pulled him away from the door, and all you could see was green gas. After about half a minute, the gas cleared and Dylan was gone.

"And so, Quarantine has claimed its first victim," Bertram stated.

"He's alright, isn't he Bert?" Abigale asked.

"But of course," Bertram said before waving his hand down as a means of dispelling any ideas that he could be dead. "He's perfectly fine. ...Or is he?"

Bertram gave off an evil looking glare towards the other competitors. They all jumped back from their seats. ...But then Bertram gave off a hard laugh, like he just told a really funny joke.

"Nah, but seriously he's fine," Bertram clarified. "The gas you saw is just harmless green colored smoke. The thing that pulled him away was just one of my assistants showing him to a door on the other side of the chamber. He's perfectly fine. ...But now it's not going to be fun anymore now that I gave away the illusion. Oh well, I'm sure I can still scare Zap-Dos with that trick assuming they ever come here."

Everyone seemed more relieved after Bertram told them what really happened. But Jet was still frazzled after the ceremony. He almost got sent home.

"Me? The Jet-frog? Almost sent home," Jet said to himself. "No, I cannot let this..." As he was still recovering, Jet was approached by his entire team.

"Do NOT think there will be no punishment for your attitude," Ruce said. "You need to shape up, show some humility, and be respectful to your team. Because WE control YOUR fate, and next time it could be YOU, whether you're athletic or not! Got it? Shape up, or you are GONE!"

Jet just froze as he watched part of his group walk away back down the stairs. Jet had a lot to think about. Only Percy stayed behind.

"I know, change can be tough," Percy said. "I had to make many changes in my life. Diet, exercise, gyms, even attitude. I remember there was a point where I used to get furious at people for small things. But eventually, I overcame those things to make myself better as a sapient Purugly."

"I... I guess I do think too highly of myself at times," Jet said, stretching his arm behind his head.

"You do have a reason to be proud of yourself though," Percy complimented. "You know, I wish I could do some of the things you do. We all have things we are good and bad at, but we just have to accept that when things can't be helped. But your attitude can be helped, and I wish to help it be helped." Percy then held his paw out and smiled at Jet. "Well? Friends?"

Jet was starting to realize one thing. Percy was not the immortal god the others wanted him to be. He had strength, but didn't have Percy's athletics. Jet excelled in areas Percy failed at, but at the same time Percy excelled in areas Jet failed at. Deep down, they weren't that different. Maybe it was time to bury the hatchet. ...At least for the present moment.

"Ummmm... friends?" Jet said nervously before shaking Percy's paw. He didn't know what he was doing if he was doing the right thing or not. But if he didn't shape up, his team would kick him off next chance they got.

"Very touching guys," Bertram said to the two. "But I have to begin the epilogue to the episode if you will. Could you please return to your bunkers?"

"Right," Jet said before he started hopping back. "Come on, Percy." Eventually, Jet and Percy left to regroup with their team. This left Bertram at the top.

"Well," Bertram began. "That ends our first Quarantine Chamber ceremony. Will Jet fly straight, or is it not meant to be? Will Artic-Uno get back at Team Zap-Dos for their recent defeat? What other alliances and qualms will be created? Only time will tell. Until next time, we say goodbye to you for now."

-Next Time On Quarantine-

"I am Savil, the Witch-Doctor."

The hunt to find the cure to the Quarantine's deadly diseases is on.

"Assigned with HER? She could bust me wide open."

Contestants search designated areas for three ingredients said to make a powerful potion.

"AHHHH! Primitive-Luxray!"

But many challenges await the contestants in these areas.

"Thy must solve the code. Thy can't proceed unless."

But to the team that first completes their potion, they get to keep their team for one more night.

"And the losing team? Well, let's just say there will be one less skull to explain things to."

All this and more in the next chapter of Quarantine: Brew or Die.