A/N: Woohoo *pops confetti*! We've reached over 100 reviews, 109 to be exact! We're over halfway there in ten chapters, this is amazing! Thanks be to you all of you wonderful reviewers, so let's get cracking on the thanks and praise for you faithful folks, shall we?
TheJoker21: I can sense the Toad hate…my Grambi. I don't know what you mean by more consistent on the reviews, as in I'm getting more, or as in I'm thanking people for them?
Soliddude1175: Well, I must say I disagree. If you backdoor Toad, he blows up in everyone's face and makes life miserable in the house for everybody since he has a volatile manner. On the other hand, I'm going to guess you were inferring Luigi about the most-liked person from last season? Flurrie is most-liked by a lot of people, so she needed to make a smart move, and since Koops is rising in popularity within the house, Toad and Plum were her only options.
Princess Toady: Flurrie may have made a mistake, but we'll see how things pan out. I think Flurrie values her social game over making huge moves. If she were to nominate Junior or Spike, then the house wouldn't expect that and she'd grow a huge target. But if she nominates people like Toad and Plum, well then she doesn't get a target. Flurrie had to weigh two options, I don't know what I would have done.
Flashfire912: I'm glad you picked up on how wonderful a position Spike is in. No one is really commenting on him or assessing his gameplay, which is what makes his character. His only enemy has been evicted, and now he may be able to steamroll the game.
Yoshpa Kong: See, for Spike to get nominated, Flurrie would have to value Koops, Dry Bones, and Junior over him. She may value Dry Bones over Spike, but I think Junior and Koops are a bit low on people's favorite houseguest lists. If Plum and Toad remain on the block, the votes my fall that way…or not :p
Moley Koopa: So many different opinions about Toad XD I'm glad to see you're using my revelations about my past plans to try and figure out how the others will place. And I think you're right when you say neither Toad or Plum have played a great game, because Toad can be a bit explosive and Plum chose the wrong allies.
Sepron: I made Doopliss Flurrie's husband due to the ending scenes of The Thousand Year Door, because they began acting on stage together. Koops is bumping up on people's lists, but not to the point where people are wanting him to win the whole show. If he keeps on playing the same way though, he may find an in. And Toad and Plum are the right nominations in my mind as well, since they've played bad games respectively.
ultimateCCC: We'll have to see about that one…
Yoshette: The Year of Waluigi? I didn't catch that one…anyway, I think Plum was going to be targeted whether or not Toad stayed since she betrayed Shokora. And I'm glad you're such a fan of the Wrecking Crew, most people are! That was a very crucial moment in the game, when Plum asked Toad about the Wrecking Crew, it could've decided everyone's future placement. But Toad kept a tight lip, and we'll see how that pans out for him and Plum!
Previously on Big Brother: Chai Kingdom!
As Shokora's game came to an end, some votes needed explaining, and Koops got to the bottom of the matter with Dry Bones.
"Precisely," Koops pointed into the air for effect, "And if Shokora was pressuring Plum to evict Toad, and the other three women voted for Toad, then that means…,"
"Plum shattered an all-female alliance," Dry Bones gasped, putting the pieces together.
"But there's something else," Koops began again, "Not only that, but Toad recruited Plum to campaign for him, remember? Toad is still here, which means either Toad shared his knowledge or Plum discovered something else."
"You don't think?" Dry Bones knit his eyebrows together nervously.
"I think our little innocent golfer downstairs is aware of both the Wrecking Crew and a fractured women's alliance, which gives her and Toad the opportunity to slither in to either side," Koops said matter-of-factly.
"And if she slides in with Flurrie…," Dry Bones said quietly, with Koops finishing his sentence.
"She takes Toad with her, and we're outnumbered."
And when Plum questioned Toad about the existence of a guy's alliance, Toad protected the Wrecking Crew even though he held no allegiance to them.
"I think the boys in the house, excluding you, are in an alliance," Plum admitted, "Do you know anything about this?"
"No," Toad stated, "I don't."
Flurrie talked with several houseguests, trying to work out the best possible strategy.
"I know I did some bad, but my goal was to knock out Shokora, I hope you know that. Now that she's gone, I'm not spinning anymore lies," Toad explained.
"I believe you," Flurrie reassured him, "But the others may not. Please Toad, you must tell me why it is imperative I spare you from nomination!"
"So, you're still pushing for Toad?" Plum asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Why of course, darling!" Flurrie chuckled, "He's played a worse game than Koops, who has been cleaning up his act, mind you. I don't think Toad has much longevity in this game anyway, but that's by the by. For you, my dear, I would suggest separating yourself from Toad, because even though he dodged this bullet, more shall be fired."
"That's what I came to talk about," Koops murmured, "I think Plum has become aware of all of the alliances in this house, and she's piecing together a powerful puzzle."
"Then we must scatter the pieces!" Flurrie said grandly, "A cold tempest blows, my dear, and with it Plum's little hopes shall freeze over."
But when Flurrie was done spinning her web, she nominated Plum and Toad for eviction, sparing Koops.
"As you can see," Flurrie held out her hands to Plum and Toad, "I have nominated you Toad, and you Plum for eviction. Toad, you've caused some dissention in the house, which is why I nominated you."
Flurrie: I think I am confident in my nominations. Koops did nothing wrong to earn nomination, so I figured Toad and Plum would be the best bet for getting as little blood on my hands as possible.
Toad: I kind of saw this coming. I knew Flurrie should nominate someone else, but there are two nominees, and it was pretty clear I would be the second one. However, this might mean I'm the pawn, but as Shokora can prove, sometimes the pawn goes home.
Plum: I'm just more disappointed than angry or anything. I flipped on Shokora because she betrayed Toad! Why doesn't anyone recognize that? I just have to win this veto and persevere! That's all there is to do.
Tonight, six houseguests play for the coveted power of veto, who will take the prize? And find out what happens when Toad confronts Junior! 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: Diana Sprixie
Age: 22
Occupation: Mechanical Engineer
Episode 11: Chain Chomp Fever
As the nomination ceremony adjourned, Plum rose from the table and subsequently hugged each houseguests, even Toad. She put a good show, smiling and crying and expressing a rainbow of emotions while making sure to pay a visit to each person for a few minutes, making rounds.
Toad, on the other hand, secluded himself to the company of Koops and Junior, not really mingling as much as Plum did. Toad knew who his allies were, well, he knew who wouldn't be fake to his face. Toad didn't' have many resources in the ally department, but he wasn't going to give up. He had endured the block last week, and he could do it again.
Toad: I'm hoping I can weasel my way out of eviction yet again. I was able to do it last week, so I'm hoping I can do it again!
"Dude," Junior whistled, "She's being so fake." He nodded to Plum, who was laughing and giggling with Dry Bones and Di. Plum and the others were having such a merry time, but Junior peered past the façade. He knew Toad wouldn't hide his true feelings for his betterment, Toad had already been vocal enough for the two of them.
Junior: I want to keep Toad in this game, but I can't make him the same deal we made Koops. Five is too large to control, because then it makes everything obvious. Plum and Flurrie are already on to us, and we don't need the fine details of the alliance going public.
"Well," Toad swallowed hard, "Let's hope she screws up big."
"I don't think we'll need a hymn and a prayer," Junior muttered, "If we play our cards right this week, Plum is as good as gone."
Toad's expression of anxiety melted into a devious grin, and he laughed alongside Junior as they plotted to cut Plum's strings and leave the women of the house stranded.
In the women's room, Flurrie readied herself for bed while Di nestled down with a book, looking up from the pages every so often to chat with Flurrie and Jojora.
"I think that went alright," Flurrie said meekly, rubbing her neck and removing her coral necklace.
"It was fine," Jojora assured her, "Plum flipped on us, so she deserves it. And Toad, well, Toad is Toad."
"She's right," Di pointed out, looking up from her horror fiction, "I think Toad and Plum were the perfect nominations. Koops is making a comeback in this game, so to nominate him would be to draw lines in the sand with the boys."
"So we're sure the boys are working together?" Flurrie lifted an eyebrow, praying they were the only united force in the house.
"It looks like it, I mean, if Toad, Koops, and Plum were with Shokora, the three of us have been together, then it only makes sense for the guys to have formed an alliance," Jojora pointed out.
"It's probably Junior, Dry, and Spike," Di murmured, thinking about it, "It makes sense. It's probably why Shokora's gone, because they all united their votes against her."
"It does make sense," Flurrie conceded, "But we mustn't let out knowledge show. Keep playing like we're their best friends and we don't know anything. We cannot shoot our social games in the foot."
"Point taken," Jojora nodded, yawning heavily.
Jojora: Between last week and this week, I've sort of taken a backseat role. Which is good, because in weeks one and two, I was a loud mouth and nearly got nominated.
"Well," Flurrie murmured, "It was nice talking! I'm off to sleep in my king sized bed!" Flurrie winked playfully at her allies, who laughed at her joking cockiness, and Flurrie glided out of the room and upstairs to her HOH room.
In the boy's room, Dry Bones, Junior, and Spike all chatted while they sat in bed.
"So, Plum and Toad, eh? We got lucky," Spike smiled, "It seems as if the ladies haven't caught on to our act yet."
"It's a good thing," Dry Bones nodded, "I'm sure they have an inkling of suspicion, but without any proof, we can keep things going."
"Well, we have three houseguests that can easily be used as shields," Junior pointed, "We can sacrifice Toad, Plum, and Koops, while working on taking out three women. They have three players, we have three outlets."
"I like the way you think," Spike laughed, "This'll be easier than jackhammering a split foundation!"
"E-excuse me?" Dry Bones asked.
"Sorry," Spike muttered, "Construction talk."
"Alright, well, I'm getting some sleep. We play for the veto tomorrow, and one of us might get picked," Junior advised, turning out the lights. The three men drifted off to sleep, images of victory dancing in their heads.
In the tiny yet elegant room, Plum, Toad, and Koops all stared at one another. They knew their position in the house. Toad and Plum were nominees, bottom of the barrel, while Koops, albeit being insured protection by a strong alliance, knew he was number four in their grand design.
Koops: While I've sort of made my way back up in the house, I know the guys won't have a problem dispatching me when I get to the end with them. I need to make some sort of preemptive strike, but not this week, not now.
"So…," Plum said despondently, "Where do we go from here?"
"Where do we have to go?" Toad moaned, "We're everyone's targets! I don't know how it got this way, but I guess when Vivian and Shokora were evicted, our numbers were already low, so why not finish off us?"
Koops flinched at the mention of Vivian, but he didn't say anything.
"Shokora wasn't with us," Plum said, "It's why I voted against her."
"You voted against her?" Toad sounded surprised, "But…you guys were so close!"
"Well she was talking about getting rid of you for so long and was dictating all of my moves and I couldn't take it anymore!" Plum cried, burying her face in her hands, "I stand up for myself for once, and this is what I get!"
"It's not that bad Plum," Koops smiled, "If I did it, anyone could do it. I was the target for twenty one days, and now the heat is finally off of me. It was a rough start, but I think anyone can come down from the block and change things for themselves."
"That is if I make it off the block," Plum spoke ominously, and Toad couldn't help but shiver at the prospect of going home, their individual fears flashing through their brains as they drifted off to sleep.
In the morning, Spike brewed the coffee, smiling to himself.
"Do you hear that?" He asked Junior.
"Here what?" Junior knit his eyebrows, not hearing anything.
"Exactly," Spike grinned, "The sweet sound of silence. No Shokora, no screaming, no problems."
"You really had it out for her, didn't you?" Junior asked.
"Of course I did!" Spike defended himself, "She picked a bone with me, it was only retaliation. Besides, she had it coming, her strategy was bonkers."
"You don't miss her?" Junior laughed.
"What?" Spike yelled, "Not one bit!"
"Not a little tiny bit?" Junior was cracking up.
"No!" Spike wailed, taking his coffee to the couch and turning his back to Junior. Junior had to stabilize himself on the wall, laughing so hard he couldn't contain himself.
The morning passed uneventfully. Dry Bones whipped up some blueberry pancakes. Everyone munched on those while making small talk. Di leant Toad some more of her books, while she and the college student read in the living room. Flurrie and Jojora sunned themselves as normal, whereas Junior went for a swim the first time this summer.
Dry Bones relaxed his bones in the hot tub, applying heavy amounts of some gray lotion.
"What's that?" Plum asked the skeletal chef.
"Oh, this?" He held up the bottle, "It's bone lotion. Keeps my bones a nice shade of dark grey. If I don't lather them with this, they'll rot and turn yellow. It's rather revolting."
"Oh…how, lovely," Plum smiled, "Might I ask you something?"
"Sure!" Dry Bones sounded chipper, always happy to talk.
"A-a-are you d-d-dead?" Plum blurted out, always having had this question on her mind.
"Am I dead?" Dry Bones asked rhetorically, "No, of course I'm not dead!" He laughed it all off, "No, see, a long time ago, many koopas were slaughtered under the reign of King Croacus I, and when the Magikoopa Kamek, the first one mind you, covered the land in his magic to use the land against Croacus, the magic was too strong. It brought the carcasses of the dead to life. Realizing what he had done, Kamek worked on these corpses, giving several brains, heart, important organs within their bony structures. They developed, bred, and formed an actual living race. While my greatest ancestors may have been revitalized dead, I was hatched from an egg like this, I'm a living, breathing, creature."
"Wow," Plum smiled, appreciating his story, "I always like listening to people's stories, especially history!"
"Well," Dry Bones smiled, sipping his mimosa, "I always like telling them, so we both win!"
Plum smiled, sinking into the bubbling water. The morning bled into the afternoon, and it soon became time to pick players for the veto competition.
"It's time to pick players for the veto game my dears!" Flurrie cried, emerging from the diary room carrying the black velvet pouch. Plum and Toad eased themselves in the rough nomination chairs, feeling the hard bamboo beneath them. Everyone else sat down on the couches, with just nine players left in the game, three could sit on each couch, and they no longer had to smash in to fit everyone.
"Alright," Flurrie smiled, "Before we begin, can both of the nominees join me up here?" Plum and Toad rose, joining Flurrie up at the head of the room.
"Now, each one of us will pull a chip from this bag, determining who will play in the veto competition, I'll pick first," Flurrie explained.
Flurrie: I really need to pick either Di or Jojora, because I know if they win, they will keep the nominations the same for me.
"Jojora," Flurrie smiled, revealing the chip. The reporter smiled, joining the wind spirit at the front of the room.
Plum was next to pick, hoping she could pick someone to her advantage.
Plum: Nobody will use the veto on me besides myself, so it doesn't really matter who I pick.
"Junior," Plum held up the son of Bowser's chip, and the student rose to stand up at the front of the room. Always excited to play in the competitions, Junior hoped to add to his veto wins.
Toad: The only person who might use the veto on me is Koops, so hopefully I can pick him from the bag.
"Spike," Toad said, a bit crestfallen Koops hadn't been drawn. The construction worker, happy to play in a veto for once, became the sixth and final competitor in the game.
"I must select a host," Flurrie beamed, "And I pick Di!"
"Oh yay!" Di cheered, "I can't wait!"
"Big brother will inform us when the competition is to begin," Flurrie read off the card, whisking it underneath her arm and ushering everyone out of the room, the tiny ceremony complete.
"Those were some interesting picks," Jojora said to Flurrie in the cabana room, lounging on the wrap-around sofa.
"I'm a bit worried about Spike or Junior, I don't know what they'll do if they win," Flurrie said with doubt in her tone.
"Then we just have to beat them," Jojora winked, "But if it's a physical competition, we may be out of luck."
"Then let us pray," Flurrie smiled, "That it is not a physical one." Both women laughed, enjoying their friendship. They knew no matter what happened, they could trust one another for the duration of the game.
Big Brother had called them outside, and all nine of the houseguests were stunned by the backyard's drastic change. Off to the side, there were a row of black seats, for the losers and the viewers to sit on. Di made her way to her podium, careful to not fall of the bridge, hoping not to fall in the lava.
For lava covered the backyard, bubbling with heat and smoldering with pain. The molten waves churned about the sea of fire, and the six people playing gulped with intimidation. Making their way across a tiny bridge, they found themselves on a large circular platform of rock. Starting positions had been marked for them, and they soon found where they were supposed to stand on the teetering molten monument.
"Houseguests!" Di read from the card, "This one's a true scorcher! When the game begins, a cage will open up above you, depositing a hungry chain chomp."
"You've got to be joking…," Toad breathed, looking up at the ceiling. Everyone else mimicked his movement, and sure enough, in a steel cage raised above the rocky ring, a chain chomp played about.
"Delightful," Flurrie gulped, scared.
"The goal, be the last one standing. The chain chomp can only run in straight lines, and will turn in a three hundred and sixty degree movement to select his next course. However, as time progresses, he will pick up speed. If he comes in contact with you, you will be thrown off of the ring, and into the lava. Don't worry, because the lava won't hurt you, it's just a prop."
"Looks like some prop," Spike muttered.
"Anyway," Di rolled her eyes at the man, "Be careful of the walls of the fire that will pop up in the cracks of the platform you're standing on."
Jojora eyed the cracks, "Wonderful."
"Getting back on topic," Di huffed, "Be the last one remaining on the platform to win the golden power of veto! Who is ready to play Chain Chomp Fever?"
No one replied, terrified to begin the game.
Di slammed her hand down on the buzzer, sounding an air horn throughout the backyard. The door below Chain Chomp opened, and he plummeted onto the platform, landing with a deafening shake. He bared his massive white fangs, chomping them eagerly and eyeing each houseguest like a delicious morsel.
Jojora: I don't think this was in our contract when we agreed to be on the show…
Toad: It didn't matter, I would face fifty chain chomps! I had to win this veto!
"Go!" Di giggled, entertaining herself with the carnage that was to begin, "I love a good fight to the death!"
"E-excuse me?" Flurrie yelped, "No one is dying today!"
"Run!" Junior bellowed, as chain chomp had selected his first victim.
"Goodness me!" Flurrie screamed, diving on the rock, narrowly escaping Chain Chomp's path.
"That wasn't so bad," Flurrie murmured as she dusted herself, rising from the ground.
"Flurrie, he's coming for you again!" Jojora warned.
"Ah!" Flurrie shrieked, running from the beast. Remembering Di's warning, she stepped out of the line of sight, avoiding Chain Chomp's straight path. This time, as the metallic monster whirled about, he chose a new victim.
"I'm too young!" Plum yelped, dodging Chain Chomp, "Phew…."
"Quick!" Junior warned everyone, "He's doubling back!" It was true, for Chain Chomp simply reversed his actions, plowing forward for Jojora now.
"For the glory of Rome!" Di cheered, raising her goblet of wine high.
"How did she get that?" Koops asked Dry Bones on the sidelines, referring to the massive wine goblet.
"Where does she get anything man?" Dry Bones shook his head.
Jojora nimbly dodged the beast, but things picked up. Next to the reporter, a wall of flame shot up into the sky, which she almost ran into.
"The fire!" Spike bellowed, pointing to another wall of fire that popped up in front of him. Not wasting a second, Chain Chomp plowed forward, not caring whether or not the whole place was on fire. He dove for Spike, who was able to just dodge the beast.
Spike: I haven't moved like that since the Dance Dance Revolution Tournament back in 09'!
"Ay caramba!" Junior yelped, sidestepping a wall of fire, allowing for Chain Chomp to miss him as well. The beat was picking up speed however, and his increasing alacrity spelt doom for the houseguests.
"He's getting faster!" Flurrie shouted, and the noise attracted chain chomp. But she was quick for someone of her age, and she was able to outfox the predator yet again. Chain Chomp licked his metal mouth, waiting to knock someone off the molten platform. He let out two ferocious barks, and charged for Plum.
She made for the left, but a wall of flame rose, making her have to move right instead, but before she could make the switch, Chain Chomp barreled into her, sending her spiraling into the lava.
"Ouch," Junior winced, watching as Plum's body rippled across the sheet of fire.
She bounced off, and it was somewhat like a trampoline. She was able to bring herself to the edge, and slipped off the side.
Plum: I was so disappointed for being the first one out of the game. I had to save myself this time around, and I failed to do it…
"Sorry Plum!" Jojora chimed, but Di screamed with a hearty laugh.
"Blood has been spilt! Now, my pet, tear them all to shreds!"
"Is she alright?" Jojora said to Flurrie, finding time for conversation as Chain Chomp chased Spike around the ring.
"That wine goblet is probably equivalent to about four glasses in one," Flurrie pointed out.
"Oh," Jojora sighed, "Well, she's having fun…,"
Jojora watched as Chain Chomp hurtled for her, and she sidestepped him with speed. The monster woofed some more, growing excited. He had felled one player, but he was just getting started.
The molten lava surrounding the ring bubbled and popped with scalding heat, simply a mirage. Junior was impressed by the technology that had gone into this challenge, and he could even feel the heat. They must've cranked it up out here to simulate a real volcano. Boy, the money this was probably costing them in electricity usage…money he would soon have if things went his way.
"Watch out!" Spike called to Junior, who snapped from his daydream in time to step out of Chain Chomp's way. The beast barked twice and spun around, making a line for Flurrie. He slammed into the actress, who hadn't been quick enough, and sent her sprawling into the lava.
"Oh dear," Flurrie mumbled as she helped herself out of the simulation, groaning as she failed to win.
Flurrie: Our success lies with Jojora now, she must pull out a win!
Just moments after Flurrie was eliminated, Spike walked right into a wall of flame which popped up as he stepped over that very crack. He felt the simulation lick his body with fire, but none of it hurt. An alarm blared throughout the arena however, signaling that making contact with the fake flames had cut him from the challenge.
"Alright, I'm going," Spike sighed, but since Chain Chomp didn't know what any of that meant, he rammed Spike anyway as the man slowly made his way off the platform.
"What was that for!?" Spike cursed as he landed in the lava, shaking his fist at Chain Chomp who barked happily and stuck out his tongue.
"I'll give you something to bark about," Spike muttered, making his way back onto the land.
Spike: That dumb beast thinks he can best me! Why, I'm a wrestling champion, I'll give him what for!
Three remained in the arena, Toad, Junior, and Jojora. Toad had been unfortunate enough for Chain Chomp not to have come near him for a while, and he stayed low to the ground and moved with caution. Junior picked up on his technique, trying to imitate him.
Chain Chomp burst forward, and three walls of fire leapt from the cracks in the platform. Jojora scrambled, and wound up becoming Chain Chomp food. She toppled into the lava, crying out in vain.
"Another one falls to the hand of might! Feast my pet, feast on their souls!" Di raised her goblet high.
"She's on something," Koops pointed at the red fairy, and Dry Bones could only laugh. Jojora joined them on the sidelines, upset she had lost. Flurrie consoled her however, telling her how it would be alright.
Jojora: I was so close! But then three fire walls popped up and Chain Chomp was running all about! It was a tough one! I just hope Toad doesn't win!
Junior and Toad carried on for some time. Di passed out on her podium, her wine spilling all over the place. Junior and Toad were evenly matched, but then a bright idea popped up into Junior's head. For just once, he would borrow the tactics of someone else, just once he would play dirty.
Chain Chomp leaped forward, smacking his metal mouth in delight. Toad deftly dodged the beast, but Junior scampered across the platform, heading straight for Toad. Not anticipating having to dodge something else, Toad screeched as Junior dove at him.
Junior: It was going to go on forever, no way Chain Chomp was going to catch Toad. So I had to…improvise.
Junior shoved Toad into the flames, but the Toadstool grabbed on tight, wrapping his arm around Junior's. Together, they toppled into the lava, Toad slamming into the simulation and Junior rolling on top of him, hitting the lava moments later.
"Di!" Koops shouted, bolting upright, "Di! Is that legal?"
"It's not me mayor, I swear I didn't put the pigs in your bed," Di said groggily in her sleep, then awoke with a start. "I saw the whole thing!"
"That was so unfair!" Toad yelled.
"It's not in the rules," Di clucked her tongue, "I never said tackling was illegal."
"You've got to be kidding," Toad slapped his face.
"And since Toad hit the lava just seconds before Junior, that means Junior wins the golden power of veto!" Di said grandly, presenting the son of Bowser with the golden medallion. He looped it around his neck, having won his second veto.
Toad: That was total crap, and Junior knows it. Even though tackling was never stated in the rules, he should have played with more dignity. Shokora was evicted for that very reason!
Junior: I'm aware it was dirty, but I needed to clutch this veto! The Wrecking Crew needs some power this week, so now that we have the veto, we can try and strike some deals with Flurrie.
Chain Chomp barked goodbye, and everyone went back into the house, leaving the magma mania behind.
"That was a fun one!" Jojora cheered upon reentering, searching the fridge for something to eat.
"Stop that!" Dry Bones scolded, "Don't raid the fridge. I'll whip up some chicken quesadillas in a minute!"
"Oh, that's fine by me," Jojora smiled, licking her lips at the sound of quesadillas.
"I think I'm going to go lie down," Plum said quietly, "I don't feel the best."
"Did something happen to you, dearie?" Flurrie asked, concerned.
"No, I just…I just don't feel the best, if you'll all give me some privacy," Plum nodded, slipping away into her small chamber. Everyone looked around awkwardly, sensing the true reason for Plum's reclusion.
Flurrie: I feel awful, I really do, but I cannot let my heart get in the way of my moves in this game. Plum flipped on Shokora, so she's not the most loyal person. But it does sting to see her so defeated.
Everyone let Plum be while she sulked in her room, upset over her performance in the veto competition. Knowing she was probably the new target come eviction night, Plum held her head in her hands, despairing the approaching moment.
However, in the kitchen, Toad was furious. He felt cheated of his veto, and confronted Junior.
"What the hell, man?" Toad asked with rage in his eyes, "That wasn't even fair!"
"All is fair in war my friend," Junior replied softly, holding up his arms.
"That's not even the saying you idiot," Toad shot back, venom in his gaze.
"Hey, why don't we all calm down," Dry Bones came onto the scene, pleading with both parties to remain civil.
"I mean I don't care you won the veto, but you should at least use it on me, I mean you cheated me of it!" Toad cried.
"No one cheated anybody of anything. If anyone cheated anybody," Junior chose his words carefully, "It was you cheating Shokora out of another week in this house."
"Junior…," Dry Bones trailed off, knowing his ally was going down the wrong path.
"How dare you!" Toad shrieked, fed up with the Son of Bowser, "I swear to God, man, I'm going to get myself off the block, and I'm coming for you next week!"
"I'm sure you are," Junior laughed, not buying Toad's intimidation tactics, impervious to his every word.
"You're such a jerk, Junior," Toad sighed, walking out of the room.
"That wasn't good, that was no good at all," Dry Bones muttered, looking cross with Junior.
"I won that fair and square!" Junior defended himself.
"It was a bit dirty," Dry Bones replied steadily, "But nobody can change the fact you won the veto. The best thing we can do is use it on Toad."
"No way," Junior seethed.
"Yes way," Dry Bones nodded methodically, "We want to position ourselves nicely, and we can't do so with Toad slandering us."
"Well, I don't care," Junior replied.
"Well I care! And you should too," Dry Bones snapped, "This is a 500,000 coin move, so don't be stupid about it."
Dry Bones had never shown any ferocity before, and Junior viewed the chef in a new light for the moment. Deciding he would have to think the whole thing over, the college student went into his room, leaving Dry Bones in the kitchen by himself.
"What was that about?" Spike asked, lumbering in.
"Toad called out Junior for playing dirty, which is the truth, but Junior didn't handle it well. Toad is swearing to come after Junior if Junior doesn't use the veto on him, saying he deserves it," Dry Bones explained.
"Sounds like something a little muscle can handle," Spike laughed.
"Excuse me?" Dry Bones didn't like the sound of that.
"I'll handle this," Spike smiled eerily, truly frightening the skeletal chef.
Dry Bones: I'm on pins and needles right now. Toad is going to bring down the Wrecking Crew, and now Spike is going to beat Toad up or something? I don't know what's going on, and I don't like it.
Dry Bones hung back while Spike entered Toad's tiny room, which was only occupied by him at the moment. Plum was with the women, and Koops was taking a shower.
"Now Toad," Spike picked at his teeth with a toothpick, "What do you want to harass Junior for?"
"I'm not harassing him," Toad shot back, "He cheated me."
"Maybe he did, maybe he didn't," Spike said, "But the point is, you don't need to be going around making might vows and coming after power players like Junior."
"He's a power player?" Toad scoffed, "Yeah right."
"Last time I checked bud, he's won two vetoes and you've squat, so don't chastise him," Spike corrected.
"Oh," was all Toad could say.
"Now, I've got a lot strings I can pull in this game," Spike smiled, "And if you keep on doing all this yelling, well, I'm gonna wrap those strings around your neck. But if you come quietly, if you pipe down for a few days, then let's just say Plum will be looking for new living arrangements."
"So if I just shut up for a few days, Plum goes home," Toad narrowed his eyes.
"That's the deal," Spike offered, reclining.
"Fine," Toad said at last, "Just…I have to be sure you've got my back."
"I have no one's back my friend," Spike winked upon exiting, "Only my one." With that, the burly man left the room, and Toad gulped, not entirely sure if the talk with Spike improved anything.
The next day, Toad was quiet, just as he had promised. On the other hand, Plum paid a visit to Junior downstairs in the cabana room, hoping she could get on his good side.
"Hey Junior," Plum smiled as they entered the cabana room.
"So," Junior rubbed his hands together, "You wanted to talk?"
"I did," Plum nodded, "It's about the veto. Is there any way you'll use it on me?"
"I mean," Junior shrugged, "I don't really see what that does for my game."
"But if I stay on the block, I think I might go home," Plum pleaded.
"I don't think so," Junior chuckled, "Toad's made a lot of enemies. If I just keep the nominations intact, then he's good as gone."
"You think so?" The golfer didn't sound convinced.
"I know so," Junior nodded. Plum swallowed, a little uneasy, but she thanked him nonetheless. They made their way out of the room and into the house, just as the veto ceremony was ready to be called. Junior went to retrieve the veto and the wooden box it was kept in while the others all crammed into the living room.
Plum and Toad took their respective seats in the bamboo nominations chairs while everyone else sat down on the white couches.
"Well," Junior began, "This is the veto meeting. As you can see, Flurrie has nominated Toad and Plum for eviction. Since I have won the power of veto, I have the power to veto one of those nominations. Before I make my decision, both of the nominees have a chance to say why I should use it on them."
Toad rose first, waving to everyone and beginning, "Well, I think you should use the veto on me because I've been working really hard. I was really close to winning the veto, and I think my work has merited a bit of help from someone else in the house. But do what you want, it is your veto."
"Thank you, Toad," Junior said, moving on to Plum.
The golfer rose, smoothing down her purple golfing skirt.
"Junior, you should use the veto on me because if you do I'll use it on you if I ever win one! It's a simple trade, you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours!" Plum smiled, sitting back down and hoping her little offer had done something for her benefit.
"Well," Junior stepped forward, "I have made my decision, which is to not use the power of veto today."
Junior stepped forward, keeping the veto around his neck. He closed the wooden box, with nothing inside of it.
"This veto meeting is adjourned," Junior said with finality, and it was over.
Junior: I know I made the right decision. Either Plum or Toad goes, and that benefits everyone games. Making Flurrie nominate a new person could cause some unnecessary friction.
Toad: I did exactly what Spike said, and I hope it pays off. If his little intimidation technique was to simply scare me and I end up going home, I'm going to be furious.
Plum: I tried to make a deal with Junior but it didn't work. I thought he'd go for it, but it looks like a no from him. Oh well, I just have to do my best and make sure I'm still here on eviction night!
Next time, someone will be evicted! Will it be Toad, or Plum? Will Spike keep up his end of the bargain, or will Junior's vendetta send Toad packing. Plus, with the power in her hands, will Flurrie be able to sway the votes to her liking? And who will win HOH when the power goes back up for grabs? Find out all of this and more next time on Big Brother: Chai Kingdom!
-AdmiralBobbery