A/N: Well we got more reviews than ever in a single chapter! Wahahaha! But, I have something I wish to talk with my audience about. Within the past chapter, I received two very mean reviews that were not constructive criticisms of my story, but personally hurt my feelings. To the Guest who called me a liar and ordered me to match my dates, I must say I am busy from time to time, but there is no need to be rude about. Now, to the much harsher reviewer who cursed me out and used a very derogative word to describe my characterization of Koops, what I say to you is that you have not read the full story, so do not make assumptions about me or the characters. I do not tolerate bullying or rudeness in any manner, and no one is forcing you to read my story, so if you don't like it, don't read it.

With that out of the way, let's focus on merry things! It's time for some rousing shout-outs for my reviewers who were kind and considerate! Let's get to it shall we?

Soliddude1175: Toad does need to learn when to cap it, eh? I think the main motivation for telling Toad however was to make him feel like he was definitely the pawn. But now that the girl's alliance is in swing, Koops may not be the one going home after all.

ultimateCCC: While I know nothing of piezookas, I can assure you that this upcoming veto challenge will be quite the duel!

Sepron: The girl's alliance was random, but I don't perceive it lasting long. I say these things like I don't know what's going to happen, and I really don't. I do most of this off the cuff, and I think with the way things are going right now, it won't be a powerful group. And thanks to you for becoming a regular reviewer! Yay!

Moley Koopa: Yes, both Koops and Toad are playing with a lot of emotion. However, don't expect much from Koops and Toad in the upcoming chapters. They've had far too much of the spotlight, and evicted or not I think it's time for the others to receive their fair share of screentime.

Yoshpa Kong: Well, Dry Bones made the decision that would get the least amount of blood on his hands. I'd say either Dry Bones or Flurrie is playing the best social game right, and the choice Dry Bones made was strictly a social play.

PuzzlingGamer: While you can expect regular updates on this story and Frozen, do not wait on Mafia. I'm more than likely not going to finish it. Anyhow, thanks for deciding to become a regular reviewer! It means a lot!

RetroKoopa: You've brought up a critical issue I'd like to address. Everyone hates Koops, which is why I received a nasty review. But why do people hate Koops? Because he's whiny. He's not so much of a wimp as the reviewer suggested, but more than he's hopelessly alone, or he puts himself in that position. But if Koops could make a power play, think of what he could do…

CielFury: Hahaha, I died laughing when you suggested Shokora and Spike could become a showmance. But they do bicker like a married couple. I don't know who would go up if Koops came down, but I don't think Dry Bones has any reason to nominate Plum or Jojora. Maybe he would nominate Jojora just because she's been on the block before?

Flashfire912: But see, they have no reason to nominate Shokora. She's done nothing wrong against them. She's clearly an antagonistic person and player, but she's done nothing so far to warrant a huge target on her back unlike the things Toad and Koops have done.

Guest: I'll try my best!

Yoshette: Well, I am a fan of Koops as well. I think if Koops stays, he'll make some interesting developments. Soon he will realize he has to stop moping about Vivian. Besides that, the girls alliance is really only for this cycle, it's Shokora's investment to take out Toad. But will she succeed is truly the question.

PaloozaChu: Koops and Toad are sort of similar and unalike in many different ways. But I can understand how you don't feel sorry for Toad, he got all wrapped up with Koops and has become a bitter player now.

To those who normally review (Princess Toady and Firedragon24k) Where have you gone? I miss you!

Well, that's it for shout-outs, thanks for reviewing everyone! Keep it up!

Previously on Big Brother: Chai Kingdom

When the votes came back, the Wrecking Crew was scrambling for an answer.

"What the hell was that?" Spike grumbled, "How is Jojora still here?"

"I don't know," Dry Bones gulped, "I don't know. But it's alright, we've got the power back."

"Did either of you vote for him?" Spike asked, thinking some treachery could be afoot. However, Junior knew the perfect alibi. Toad had switched his vote last minute, and Junior could use that to his advantage.

"No," Junior replied, "I voted for Jojora, what about you Dry?"

"No, no," Dry Bones shook his head, "I voted for Jojora as well. But it's alright, everything's fine, Diddy may be gone, but he was getting paranoid."

And with Dry Bones in power, the Wrecking Crew plotted to knock Koops out of the game.

"So we're thinking Koops for one of the nominees then?" Junior asked.

"Definitely," Dry Bones nodded, asserting his new power, "It will cause the least amount of damage. To be honest, not many people enjoy having Koops around, so nominating him won't cause any ripples."

"Then who goes up next to him?" Spike asked.

"It has to be Toad," Junior answered, "We have to tell him we're putting him up as a pawn, but that he can trust us. That might be our angle for reeling him in."

"I know it does," Dry Bones grinded his teeth, "We just have to make this move carefully. We're at that point in the chess game where we've lost a valuable piece, and we have to make sure the rest of our pawns play out nicely."

"That's exactly what we need to do," Spike commented, "So it looks like its Koops and Toad. Good talk boys, now we just need to work on Toad."

Bringing Toad into their fold, the Wrecking Crew wanted to ensure that Toad knew he was just a pawn.

Toad: I was faced with a very difficult decision. I wish I could work with Koops, but he won't even listen to me! On the other hand, if I work with the Wrecking Crew, I could go far in this game.

And when Koops became privy to Toad's machinations, the letter sorter let him have it, causing yet another house-wide argument.

"Y-y-y-you!" Koops reached his boiling point, "How dare you! I knew Vivian more than I'll ever get to know any of you. She was my only friend in this game and you all took her away from me. I have a hard time making friends and you've all been so rude and menacing!"

"Whatever," Toad rolled his eyes, walking from Koops, "Get your head out of the clouds Koops, you just threw this whole opportunity, down the drain."

However, a blessing in disguise graced the house for Koops, as Shokora aimed to craft a girl's alliance that would target Toad.

"He's been spreading rumors about me," Shokora whispered, "Something about how I told everyone Spike and Diddy were in an alliance, I don't know what he has against me, but he needs to go soon."

And at the nomination ceremony, no one was surprised except for Toad.

Toad: Shocked is not even the word to define myself right now. Dry Bones and Junior pulled me into their alliance to use me as a pawn! I'm not an idiot, but they just didn't want to me to make noise before the nominations! Well they can expect quite the uproar now!

Tonight, six houseguests will compete for the coveted power of veto! Who will win? And will the power of veto be used to remove one of the nominees from the chopping block? Plus, Koops gets a new lease on life in the Big Brother house when he revamps his game, and it all seems tumbling down for Toad. How will Flurrie react when Di shares her secret? Find out all of this and more tonight on Big Brother: Chai Kingdom!

Welcome to Big Brother: Chai Kingdom!

Name: Spike Foreman

Age: 40

Occupation: Construction Worker

Name: Flurrie Windings

Age: 55

Occupation: Retired Actress

Name: Plum Pitcore

Age: 22

Occupation: Golfer

Name: Jojora Teeheena

Age: 23

Occupation: Reporter

Name: Dry Bones Skelexo

Age: 24

Occupation: Cruise Line Chef

Name: Toad Kapino

Age: 23

Occupation: College Student

Name: Koops Shelle

Age: 21

Occupation: Letter Sorter

Name: Bowser Koopa Jr.

Age: 25

Occupation: College Student

Name: Shokora Aiko

Age: 32

Occupation: Political Consultant

Name: Diana Sprixie

Age: 22

Occupation: Mechanical Engineer

Episode 8: Booksquirm

Sitting alone in his room, Koops stared at the wall, his head resting in his hands. Over the past three weeks, he had done a lot of damage, and he was currently evaluating himself. He had lost the one person who remained by his side. He had gotten so paranoid that even Toad could no longer stand him and was conspiring against him. It was horrible, and Koops felt alone, so alone. He couldn't help his outbursts, he couldn't help his affection and his miseries. He couldn't help the way he felt about things, and how he had been outsider all his life. Up until a month before entering the house everything had been somewhat fine. His girlfriend, Koopie Koo, actually loved him, and then she just broke it off.

It was just like him, he thought. Everyone always ruined things for him right when they were at their peak. It was like how it ended with Vivian, how him and her had become fast friends, swiftly ensuring the destruction of her game. Vivian was loved by a lot of people early into the game, she could've gone so far. But Koops had ruined that for her, and he realized it was all so hard. He stared down at the floor, wondering why he had ruined everything for Vivian, how he had ruined everything for Toad, and how he had ruined everything for himself.

He had wanted to be on this show so bad, he had wanted to prove to the world how he could be strong just like everyone else. Why wasn't he doing that? Why had he allowed himself to take a back seat, to criticize everyone else while acting like a child? What did his family think? His father?

Koops shed a tear, just one. One was enough, for inside that one tiny droplet or water, all of his emotions from the past three weeks slid down his eye, and evaporated with time. He had served his sentence, he knew what he needed to do, and like unshackling the fetters around his feet he rose with confidence and restored dignity. He knew he could win this game, but he had been playing the wrong way. People had a reason to get rid of Toad and keep him, he could ensure them he would be an easy target. Furrowing his brow, exhaling sharply and focusing his mind, Koops laid out a master plan.

He was finally playing Big Brother.

Outside, where mostly everyone congregated after the nomination ceremony, Flurrie drew her companions into her room, where the other two women plopped down on their beds and wondered what she had to say.

"I'm starting to think we've made a bad decision," Flurrie said with pursed lips, floating to and fro across the room.

"What do you mean?" Di asked, wondering what the wind spirit truly meant.

"What I mean dearie, is that this women's alliance we've made could really come back to haunt us," Flurrie advised, "Think of it as a debt. If we help Shokora eliminate Toad, then she's going to think we expect something of her in return. She'll then want to stick around, which isn't good. That'll only mean Plum stays longer as well."

"Wait," Jojora stifled a laugh, "Are you saying you'd be upset if Plum overspent her stay? You and her are good friends!"

"Jojora dear," Flurrie shook her head, "A recipe for chai tea does not make someone my ally in the conquest for 500,000 coins. You know very well the three of us have had one another's back from the first night, and I intend to keep it that way."

Jojora: And the angels have sang! Flurrie's not useless after all! She's loyal to us! Oh, this is so wonderful I could cry. After we send Koops home, we can blackball Shokora with my Jojora brand, Toad-Bait, and take control of this whole house!

Flurrie: Jojora is keen on keeping Toad around as a check towards Shokora, but I think he might prove more dangerous later on. Toad is up to something, he's far too smart to be causing such a ruckus. I'm starting to think everyone might be putting on an Oscar-winning performance right about now. And trust me honey, I've given several Oscar-winning performances.

In the kitchen, where the Wrecking Crew normally met after ceremonies, Spike picked at something in his teeth while listening to Dry Bones and Junior lay out the plan for the rest of the week, deciding they shouldn't meet until the next week anyway.

"So," Dry Bones chattered his teeth nervously.

"It was our best move," Spike pointed out, "Besides," he raised his arms in a gesture of acceptance, "What's Toad going to do, rally his friend Koops?"

"Honestly," Junior lowered his head, "Depending on how the veto pans out, would it be best to send Koops home?"

"Of course it would!" Spike bellowed, slapping his gut, "Koops is a wreck! He's ruining everything for everyone!"

"That's my point," Junior nodded, "It doesn't matter who wins HOH, they're going to nominate Koops and target him. But,' Junior held out his arms for dramatic effect, "This might be our only chance to take out Toad."

"Don't be ridiculous," Spike laughed, "Toad? Who is Toad? Some chump let me tell you. He can be dealt with later, but Koops has to go!"

Junior: Spike is not seeing my side of the argument. No one likes Koops, we can get him out any time. It doesn't matter who wins HOH, as long as it's not Koops, he's going home next week. This week we should focus on someone other than Koops, because he's definitely not going to win this game.

The Wrecking Crew dispersed, keeping their meeting brief. Toad had slinked back to his room where Koops largely ignored him, deciding he was done with the lying student. Shokora and Plum had retreated to the same room as well, and after Plum cheerily fed the three koi, she turned out the lights. Dry Bones bid Junior and Spike goodnight, and headed up to his HOH room. An eerie quite settled on the Big Brother house, and the night came forth, blanketing everything in black.

Morning rose, and the breaking dawn burned through the house, waking up each individual within it. The morning was slow like normal. Spike was the first to wake up as always, soon followed by Shokora. They spat over the coffee, had it out like normal, and everyone else wandered in. The routine blended together, and the days passed by until something important actually happened.

Emerging from the diary room, Dry Bones happily announced, "It's time to pick players for the veto competition!" Eager to be picked, everyone ran into the living room, hoping they would get a chance to prove themselves in the coming game.

Toad and Koops eased themselves down into the rickety bamboo chairs, grumbling at the discomfort. Everyone else took a seat on the couch while Dry Bones manned the front of the room, velvet pouch in hand.

"Before we begin picking players for the veto competition," said Dry Bones, "Would the two nominees please join me up here?"

Toad: The only person who would possibly use the veto on me is Plum, and that would take some convincing. So I'm really hoping she gets picked for the veto.

Koops: No one's going to use the veto on me, but that's alright. I can focus on social relations next week, but for now, I need to win this veto and secure my safety.

Dry Bones dipped his hand into the velvet pouch as Toad and Koops joined him up front. Removing the chip, he read aloud the name stamped on it.

"Plum," Dry Bones murmured, and the golfer happily rose and skipped to the front.

Dry Bones: I'm indifferent about picking Plum, because she might use the veto on Toad, but her chances of winning the competition are very slim, so there's not much to worry about there.

Toad went next, removing the next chip.

"Shokora," he said aloud, and the kimono clad woman smiled, rising to the meet the rest of the competing players.

Shokora: This is perfect. If I win this veto, I can make sure Toad stays put and prey upon him like a lamb to a wolf!

Koops picked the last chip, and he read the name, not really caring that this person had been picked.

"Di," Koops said drolly, and the red fairy giggled, floating up to the front of the room.

"This is going to be fun!" Di cheered.

"I must also pick a host for the veto competition," Dry Bones informed everyone, "And I pick…Jojora!'

"Oh?" Jojora was a bit surprised, "Thanks Dry Bones!"

Dry Bones: I picked Jojora because I didn't want to pick Junior or Spike. If I did, it would make it look like I was being exclusive, and I want everyone to know I'm friends with everybody.

"Big Brother will inform us when the competition will begin," Dry Bones announced, and everyone clapped and cheered for the coming game.

However, before the veto competition began, some more plots were forming within the walls of the Big Brother house. Sitting in her room, Di was mentally preparing herself, wondering if the veto could have to do with memory or something. Then, Flurrie waltzed in, and Di felt obligated to share something with her.

Di: Now that Flurrie has realized Jojora's bright idea to form a girl's alliance is a bit dumb, and additionally because she swore her loyalty to us and scorned Plum, I think she has a right to know my strategy.

"Hey Flurrie," Di piped up, nabbing the ethereal actress' attention.

"Yes, dear?" Flurrie raised an eyebrow, showing her attention had been piqued.

"I…I have something I need to share with you," Di admitted, and Flurrie's purple shade turned a lighter lilac. Some of the color had flushed from Flurrie, and she feared Di had bad news or something.

"Uhm, well, I know everyone here thinks I'm a real airhead," Di began, and Flurrie rested a hand on her.

"Sweetie," Flurrie countered, "You're not an airhead. You're very smart, you must be in order to be an engineer!"

"That's what I'm saying," Di lowered her voice, "I'm not an airhead. It's part of my strategy. I'm trying to fool everyone into thinking I'm harmless and then strike later on in the game. It's something I set up from the moment I walked in."

"M-m-my oh my," Flurrie gasped, "You mean to say all the ditzy giggling and stupid twirling you've been doing has all been a charade!"

"What?" Di was a bit hurt, "You don't have to put it like that!"

"Honey," Flurrie lowered her eyes, smiling a bit, "I was an actress. I can tell when someone is faking something. Now, I can't speak for the others, but I can see right through you. It's a great plan, and with me by your side, I'll show you how to put on a stunning performance!"

"You knew?" Di sounded dejected, "But Jojora didn't know when I shared this with her…is it that obvious?"

"Only if you know what to look for," Flurrie winked, "And trust me, none of these fools know what to look for."

She gave Di a warm hug, and the two women bonded a bit more in that moment. Knowing she had two awesome people backing her up, Di felt a little safer in the Big Brother house, and she and her two friends vowed to last long together, in and outside of the game.

It was time for the veto competition, and everyone trickled out of the house and into the backyard. There wasn't much out there this time, save a massive book. This book was enormous, and it's open pages covered much of the backyard. Wearing a graduation cap and wide-framed glasses, Jojora looked like a wizened scholar. Moving up to the hosting podium, Jojora began to read the directions while those who were not playing took a seat in the library themed sitting area off to the side off the tremendous book.

"Welcome to the Big Brother library!" Jojora beamed, "I hope you've studied up! Because in this Big Brother game you can't miss a page! Literally! When the game begins, hop up onto the book and brace yourself. When the mechanical page turns, try and find a hole to give you safe passage to the next page. If you don't find one in time, the page will squish you and you'll be eliminated from the game. This game is all about quick thinking and speed, and the last one standing will win the golden power of veto!"

The six players clapped their hands, enthused to be competing for the veto. Some of them were more determined than others however, and really needed to get their hands on it.

"Who is ready to play, Booksquirm?"Jojora asked raucously, and everyone clapped with invigoration.

Dry Bones: This veto is not entirely important to me, because if either Toad or Koops leave the block, the other one is going home.

Koops: I must win this veto! If I don't, I'm going home!

Toad: I'm in a sticky situation. I thought I had Dry Bones' alliance behind me, but then they nominated me! Then my blow up with Koops caused us to split in our alliance, and the only true friend I have left is Plum! But if she wins, will she use the veto one me?

Plum: Not many people would assume so, but I'm in between a rock and a hard place. I'm in some all girls alliance, but I don't agree with it. I don't think Toad deserves to go home based on Shokora's wishes. I think Koops should go home, so if I win this veto, I'm going to have a tough choice to make.

Shokora: The goal here is simple. Make sure Toad fails.

Di: I feel a lot better now that I told Flurrie about my act, but what worries me is how she said it was sort of transparent. I might need this veto more than I think…

Everyone stepped up to the book, standing in different places amongst its vast surface. The three contestants who weren't involved, Spike, Junior, and Flurrie, watched from the sitting area. Jojora nodded to the contestants, and sounded the buzzer which began the game.

The six players didn't really know where to go until the mechanical grind of the pulley system roared to life. The first page slowly raised, and then when it reached the climax of the hill it flipped downward, picking up speed. Two shapes, a crescent moon and a circle, were cut into the page, and the six players knew they needed to make sure their position lined up with the falling shadows.

Koops darted forward, determined to make sure he made it through one of the holes. Knowing Koops was headed in the right direction, Toad followed hot in his heels, using Koops' sureness to his advantage. The holes were coming down faster, but everyone was in position. The page slammed down, and all six houseguests made it safely to the next page, breathing a sigh of relief.

But their celebration was momentary, because the next page came up with heightened alacrity. Scrambling for cover, the six houseguests watched as two new shapes, a triangle and a rectangle, descended upon them. Discovering how he would gain safe passage to the next page, Dry Bones wiggled into the shadow of the rectangle and Koops quickly joined him.

"Well, I guess we just wait for it to fall now, huh?" Dry Bones asked with a smile.

"I suppose so," Koops shrugged. The page began to fall, but one houseguest had a nasty plan up her kimono's sleeve. Reverting back to her villainous tricks during the first HOH competition, Shokora shot forth and pushed Koops, sending him rocketing into Dry Bones.

"Aiee!" Dry Bones cried, tumbling to the surface of the book.

"What!?" Koops was shocked, but he managed to stay within the shadow of the rectangle. Di, Toad, and Plum all crammed into the triangle's shadow, and as the page turned Dry Bones was left on the outs, the page landing on him hard.

"Dry Bones is out!" Jojora called, and the skeletal koopa sullenly rose and made his way over to the seats. Casting a saturnine glance at Shokora, he frowned. Dry Bones had been cheated of his victory, and Shokora's aggressive tactics were back again.

Dry Bones: One moment, I was completely safe, and the next moment, Shokora shoved me to the floor. I mean, that was never specified in the rules, but it was a dirty move!

The third page was even faster, and its shapes were yet another crescent moon and circle. Managing to fit through all the shapes, the five remaining houseguests made it onto page four.

"Watch out!" Plum instructed everyone, "This one's fast!"

She was right, for the fourth page sped forward with a burst of speed. Di and Koops ducked underneath the shadow of a circle, and Plum and Toad scrambled for the rectangle. Shokora was left on the outs, but she managed to once again steal someone's spot and sent Di tumbling to the floor, causing the red fairy to get squished by the falling page.

"Ow!" Di yelled, "That wasn't very nice of you, Shokora!"

"Sorry," Shokora giggled, finding the scenario funny.

Shokora: There is no way to play dirty, only victory matters.

The fifth page approached with celerity, and the four remaining houseguests in the mix found it easier with four people, managing to fit two in each shape. This went on for about five minutes, until things heated up a little bit.

The next page had four shapes on it, but two of them had cardboard on the back, so they were only cut-outs. At the top, they looked like possible passageways to the next page, but once they approached, it was obvious they were false. This made it harder to gauge where to stand in order for you to progress, and one houseguest fell for the trap.

"Serves you right!" Plum booed, upset with Shokora for playing so dirty. The political analyst grumbled something mean under her breath and retreated to the sitting zone, having been eliminated by one of the false shadows. Only three remained now, and two of the remaining three were nominees and could really use this veto.

The false shapes were gone now, and Plum, Koops, and Toad simply had to be quick. The pages were slipping over fast, and in order to match them they had to really kick it in gear. On about the eleventh page, Toad dashed to fit underneath a star shaped space but didn't trust the gauge of the shadow, so he sprinted to the other side to fit into a crescent moon Plum and Koops were sharing, but he was too late.

"Sorry Toad," Jojora sang, "But you've been eliminated."

Toad hung his head, mortified with his performance.

Toad: I had been so close. Only Plum and Koops had to mess up and then the veto was mine. Now Koops has a fifty percent chance of winning this veto, and if he does, I'm certainly going home.

It was down to Koops and Plum, one of them would win the veto, and the other would walk away with nothing. For Koops, it meant his life in the game, and for Plum, it meant which alliance she would stay loyal to.

They passed by a few more pages, remaining unscathed. Koops' nimble body helped him evade the falling pages and slip through the shapes, and Plum was in good shape due to being a professional athlete, and she was able to quickly dodge the shapes that rained down.

However, it was on the sixteenth page that one of them was felled by the book, and the victor emerged. Two shapes showed themselves as the book turned, a star and a heart, two difficult shadows to judge the safety of. Thinking more safety would be ensured by the rounded edges of the heart as opposed to the sharp and unpredictable design of the star, Koops dashed for the heart. The cut-outs were smaller as well, and they could only really fit one person. Realizing Koops had taken the heart, Plum tore off to fit inside the star, and they waited as the page turned over at the top of the pulley system.

As the page slid over, Plum realized her position was off. The shadow really showed once the page turned, and Plum knew she had to adjust herself. Fitting inside the tiny star was hard, and as the book turned, Plum's heel was out. Just one small portion of her body extended over the shadow, but the page clipped her, causing her to lose her balance and tumble to the earth.

"Plum has fallen, meaning she is eliminated!" Jojora boomed, "Congratulations Koops, you have won the power of veto!"

Breathing hard, Koops raised his hands in enlightenment. He had done it, with the odds against him, and the house against him, he had emerged victorious. He had thought about this moment all night long, what it would be like to rebuild his position in the house, starting with winning this veto. Koops joyously lowered his head for Jojora, who looped the golden symbol around his neck.

Jojora: And yet another unnecessary week of prolonged survival for Koops! Whoop-dee-doo, now it looks like Shokora's master plan of evicting Toad is going to come true!

Shokora: This could not have gone better. Now that Koops has won the veto, Toad will move from the pawn to the target!

Toad: This could not have gone worse! Now I'm going to move from the pawn to the target!

Koops: Honestly, I can't believe I pulled that off. But I'm over crying and waiting for someone to sympathize with me. If this house is going to go against me, then I'm going to do my damnedest.

Jojora led everyone back inside, being the host of the event and all. The veto was a particularly fun one, but Shokora had dampened several people's competitive spirits.

Di: I honestly thought Shokora had sharpened up since the very first HOH competition, but she was back to her old tricks during this veto competition and it came across as rude and downright mean.

Dry Bones: I honestly saw no reason for Shokora to be so rude about the veto competition. I mean, Koops won without shoving people and being mean, so why couldn't she have put her best foot forward and won with integrity?

As Shokora shuffled about the house into the bathroom to shower, Dry Bones convened a meeting with Koops and Junior upstairs, leaving Spike and Toad out of the fold. Koops plopped down on the couch, kicking his feet up on the table, and Junior sat down next to Koops while Dry Bones sprawled out on his bed.

"So, you're obviously using the veto on yourself," Dry Bones said to Koops, who replied with,

"You bet I am."

"Alright," Dry Bones breathed, "No surprises there. What I'm more concerned about is the replacement nominee and where we go forward from here."

"What do you mean?" Junior raised an eyebrow, a bit confused.

"Yeah," Koops leaned forward.

"I mean, well," Dry Bones turned to Koops, "What did Toad say to you?"

"He implied something about you guys aligning with him and the whole house being against," Koops made it sound like it was no big deal.

"Ok," Dry Bones huffed, "Toad seems a lot more volatile right now. The women have moved against him, or so Spike has observed through Shokora's complaints. I think no matter who I nominate, Toad's going to go home."

"Seems likely," Junior nodded to Koops, "You're thoughts on this."

"I really don't care what you do with Toad, he's not my concern anymore," Koops laid it out straight, "And I do think he's going home regardless. His days are number, as are mine."

"Which I want to change," Dry Bones broke in.

"Huh?" Junior couldn't help but let out his surprise.

"Yeah," Koops raised an eyebrow," Explain."

"I think the house is gunning for you Koops," Dry Bones explained himself, "You obviously know this. But, in today's veto competition, Shokora exhibited several…inflammatory behaviors."

"Your point?" Koops seemed unfazed, but Junior was catching on, nodding slowly with approval as Dry Bones continued along.

"I'm going to nominate Shokora as the replacement," Dry Bones revealed, "Which will throw smoke over whatever the women are planning. Putting Shokora on the block will be a real shock to them, but it still won't be enough to send her home. But it will send a message. Once Toad is evicted, we can rally the rest of the house against Shokora within the week, taking the heat off of you…,"

"And putting it on Shokora," Koops nodded with glee dancing in his eyes, "But that'll only buy me a week."

"Which is why we offer you safety in the case of us getting HOH, and we expect you to return the favor," Dry Bones permitted.

"So why don't we just call this an alliance?" Koops wondered aloud.

"Because," Junior butted in, "We all become targets if the rest of the house finds out we're directly working with you. See, this just seems like a meeting about you using the veto, so it's not suspicious. But if we outright state our complicity, then the house turns on all four of us, if we include Spike. So, this is the best way to keep you safe."

"Sounds like a plan," Koops rubbed his hands together, "A good one at that."

Junior: Yeah, I'm kind of worried that Koops might starting tooting his horn and getting a little cocky now that we've agreed to keep him safe, but it's the best move for us. Prolonging Koops' departure by two weeks gives the Wrecking Crew that much time to make it deeper into the game together. If we can knock Toad, Shokora, and Koops out of the game, we'll basically run this show.

The meeting with Koops had ended, and the letter sorter retreated downstairs. Toad, however, was growing kind of desperate, and knew his time in the house was running short if Koops were to remove himself from the block. However, the student knew he could wait to campaign, and was simply biding his time until after the veto ceremony.

Toad: I know exactly how this whole thing is going to pan out. Koops will use the veto on himself, Dry Bones will name some bogus replacement nominee, and then I'll have to fight a battle I probably won't win on eviction night. I just wanted to make it further than Toadette.

Koops knew it was time for the veto ceremony, and called everyone into the living room. Sitting down in the bamboo chair, Toad stared up at Koops while the koopa stood with a purpose. Dry Bones sat down in his ottoman while everyone else filed into the luxurious white couches.

"This is the veto ceremony," Koops began, "Dry Bones has nominated Toad and I for eviction. However, since I hold the power of veto, I have the power to veto one of those nominations. Before I make my decision, I'd like to give Toad, the other nominee, a moment to say why I should use the veto on him."

Toad looked up at Koops, knowing this plea would be empty.

"Well Koops," Toad began, "Even though you won the veto fair and square, I think you should use the veto on me because I've been a good friend to you for the most part, and I'm sorry for some things I've said. If you use it on me, I will fiercely fight to protect you and have your back."

"Thank you Toad," Koops nodded, barely acknowledging his remark.

"I have decided," Koops began, "To use the power of veto on myself."

Toad nodded with grave solemnity, knowing this would be the outcome. Koops moved over from in front of the nomination chair to the couch, where he sat in an empty seat.

"Dry Bones," Koops addressed the HOH, "Since I have just vetoed one of your nominations, you must now name a replacement nominee."

Dry Bones rose from his ottoman and faced the group as a whole, looking genuinely upset.

"I hate having to do this, I really do," Dry Bones began, "I feel like we've all grown so close, but this decision has been made and it's because I think this person needs to work on some of their animosity towards others. I'm naming Shokora as the replacement nominee."

Shocked, it took Shokora a moment to register what she heard. But she had realized the flaw, and she rose with acceptance to the chair. Her blue and white kimono flowed behind her, and as she sat down in the bamboo chair, she looked like a geisha in the woods.

"Well," Koops rose once more, taking Dry Bones' place in the front of the room.

"This nomination ceremony is adjourned," the koopa said, taking off the veto necklace and placing it in the shiny wooden box, closing the lid with definitive certainty.

Koops: One more week in the Big Brother house! And if my deals with Dry Bones and Bowser Junior stay good, then I might be here for much longer than that!

Dry Bones: All the power was in my hands this week, and I did with it as best I could. I think making the deal with Koops was good, because it improves my social relations with him and keeps the rest of the house guessing. However, naming Shokora shouldn't hurt much, and Toad's eviction is near guaranteed.

Toad: I think Shokora getting named as the replacement nominee works in my favor. She's very aggressive, which can rub some people the wrong way. But she's got the women behind her, so it'll be interesting to see if my campaigning pulls off.

Shokora: Even though I loathe the thought of being up on the block, I can say my actions have deserved the role. I was far too aggressive in the veto competition, something I believed I had under control since the first game. But when games come to speed and strength, I can become a little overbearing.

This chapter was a little bit longer, because I wanted to make up for my lack of frequent updates. I'm really trying though, and I'm including as much drama as possible to satiate everyone's appetite. We're getting close to the first 100 reviews, so keep them coming! This is only Chapter 8, and I'm sure we'll be there by the end of Chapter 10!

So next time, the eviction will take place! Will Toad or Shokora go home, and who will be crowned as the new HOH when the power goes back up for grabs? Find out all of this and more next time on Big Brother: Chai Kingdom!

-AdmiralBobbery