Hey, everyone! I'm really sorry for not updating earlier, but I'm back! I'm going to keep my A/N's short for the this chapter and the next, as I'm sure you're really anxious for the chapters! So I hope you enjoy! ~ Alyssa

That night, all were gathered at the beach. Surfers arrived first, then the Rodents, then the Adders. Unknown to the other Rodents, Hunter and CheeChee had snuck away from the others to visit the "mystery" people they were falling in love with.

"CheeChee, we don't have much time together tonight. You need to be with your friends for the scavenger hunt."

"How did you know about that?"

"I have my ways."

Jennifer was doing the exact same act a little ways away. Both pairs oblivious to someone watching them.

"Your so called "love" will only be your downfall." The girl whispered, crouched in the shadows, but at the same time, she was on the door of Big Momma's.

The girl had a cloak on, she stood up, and the cloak nearly fell from her shoulders. She grabbed the cloak and pulled it back up. But not before Bolt looked right at her. She lifted a finger, motioning for him to be quiet. Bolt nodded, and went back to what he was doing.

Mere yards away, Mack and Brady were having a conversation of their own.

"Mack, I think I might have figured it out."

"Figured what out?"

"How we got back here!"

"Well, are you going to share or not?"

Brady took a very small step back, surprised at Mack's tone of voice.

"Um, I think it may have been because of us wishing to come back! See, you had the "Destiny Board", so it may have been trying to tell us something, or it was destiny that Tessa see this place!"

"That is pretty convincing." Mack said, still feeling a little unconvinced.

"But, the thing is, I'm not sure if that's really what happened. If it is, then we know how we got here. But then, how do we get back? We both know that we'd need a wave for it! A big one at that!"

"Brady, I don't know that..."

"Hey, Mack, Brady, you two wanna go for a moonlight surf?" Lexi asked, pushing her red hair behind her ear.

Mack looked back at the bikers, then to where Lela was standing with Tanner and Butchy, and finally back to Brady and Lexi.

"You two go on. I'm gonna help Lela try to make sure Tessa doesn't find out about this."

"Are you sure, Mack? It won't be the same without you."

"Yes, Brady. I'm sure. Lela is gonna need help keeping Tessa preoccupied." Mack sighed, walking away.

After about half an hour, Butchy, Lugnut, Bolt, and Seth were standing on the beach across from Speed, Hank, Curtis, and James.

"Let's start this. Who ever finds the most items on the list in 2 hours wins. Each of you has a list, that way if your team wants to split up to find more, you can. Just make sure you all meet back here in 2 hours or less. And no cheating." Tanner said, looking pointedly at Speed.

Both sides agreed to the terms and looked at their 2 page long lists.

"On your mark, get set, go!" Tanner called as SeaCat set out an hourglass.

Both teams took off in a hurry. With Speed's team running blindly to the woods, Butchy's team had an advantage. The four split up, hoping to cover more ground.

Meanwhile, Mack, Lela, and Tessa were sitting on the couch chatting.

"I don't see what the big deal that I stay here is!"

"Well, we thought it would be nice if the three of us had a night to ourselves!" Lela smiled.

"You's hiding something. You's been hiding something all afternoon! I don't understand why no one will tell me!"

"You'll understand later tonight." Mack said.

The three girls proceeded to talk, play games, and do random things for the next two hours. That was when Tessa found out what was going on. It all started with Lela's pacing.

"Lela! Would you stop pacing?!" Mack exclaimed.

"I'm sorry! I can't help it!"

"Why can't you help it, though?! You's got a secret. What is it?" Tessa questioned.

"I...I can't tell you."

That was when the front door opened. Mack distracted Tessa as Lela rushed downstairs. She arrived downstairs, only to see Butchy sit down on the couch.

"Butchy?"

Butchy looked up suddenly and saw Lela standing in the living room doorway.

"Lela! What are you doing up? It's almost midnight!"

"I had to find out what happened. Tessa is getting suspicious."

"Oh..."

Butchy then found the carpet a very interesting thing, as he looked down upon it. Lela was silent, knowing full well why he was looking at the carpet.

"Speed won." She whispered.

"Yes. He did. I did everything I could within the rules to win. But Speed still won."

"That means..." Lela began, starting to tear up.

"Not until tomorrow afternoon. Don't worry, everything will go back to normal. Without Speed, without the Adders..."

"With Tessa, Mack, and Brady?"

"Yes. With Tessa, Mack, and Brady." Butchy confirmed, hugging Lela as she cried.

That was when Tessa came running down the stairs, Mack hot on her heels.

Both Mack and Tessa froze when they saw what was happening in front of them.

"Tonight was the last competition." Tessa said, finally realizing what day it was.

Butchy just nodded, and looked Tessa in the eye. It then dawned on her, why Lela was crying. Tessa's shoulders dropped, and she bit back a sob. Lela heard this and looked up at Butchy, signaling that they could talk more later. By the time Lela had most composed herself, Tessa was sobbing her heart out. Butchy walked over to Tessa and hugged her.

"Did Speed..." Mack started whispering to Lela.

Lela didn't even have to say anything, her eyes said it all and Mack gasped quietly.

"It'll be alright, Tessa. I promise. I'll be back and everything will be back to normal."

"But...who will lead the Rodents now? No one will listen to Speed. They need a leader."

"You'll lead them. You's proven yourself to be an extremely capable leader. That's why I need you to be strong for me. You can do it."

"It'll be hard, but I suppose I can." Tessa said, tears still glimmering in her eyes.

"Hey, look at me." Butchy said, tilting her chin up to look at him.

Tessa looked into Butchy's eyes, picking up traces of worry and sadness, but more care, love, and reassurance were evident. Butchy leaned in and kissed Tessa gently.

"Hmm...you always know how to make me feel better."

"I try."

This chapter, as well as a few following it, were pretty hard to write. Since Butchy is my favorite. But don't worry, everything will turn out right in the end! :) Before you go, please be sure to read my friend cherrygorilla's fanfics! She's amazing! :) ~ Alyssa