A/N: Hello all! Sorry for the delay on this chapter (I was away for a while and am in the process of applying for a visa to move out of the country, so life's been a bit hectic) but it's here, and I promise the next chapter won't be as much as a gap! (Currently working on it as we speak). I just wanted to make a little note to say this chapter is sort of a bit of a filler? I just needed to write it to sort of move things along, and after this the story will start to actually progress. As always reviews are appreciated and encouraged, and I hope you enjoy!

As they all began getting sorted, the two teams both headed out of their cabins and began walking towards the meal hall with their teammates, a few of the new camper and old camper pairings already being made up, though most were still left without a partner.

Frankie wasn't thinking much of it though, when he felt a pair of heavy footsteps fall into place beside him.

"Hey," Eva spoke, her tone dry and almost careless.

"Hi?" Frankie responded, his tone was slightly off-putting, though it was mainly because he was unsure as to why Eva was speaking to him.

"Listen, I don't like almost anyone else on our team. They all rub me the wrong way and if I have to pair up with almost any of them I will actually lose my mind. But you appear to be strong and you don't look like you have time for nonsense which I appreciate. So what do you say?" She looked at him expectantly, putting her hand out for him to shake.

"There are worse people." He shrugged, shaking her hand, signing off on their new partnership. Meanwhile, a somewhat less simple conversation was happening on the same topic, just behind them.

"What's up, Little Legs?" Auden questioned, not even needing to look beside her to know that Duncan had ran to catch up with her and was now walking beside her.

"Little legs?" He looked down, shaking his head before turning back to her. "Look, I need to pick a piece of fresh meat to deal with, and you seem like the least fresh piece."

"What does that even mean?" Auden narrowed her eyes at him slightly before shaking her head. "Let me guess. You've already managed to piss most of the other people on this team off, and you know I'm gonna win this whole deal, so you figured it would be better to attach yourself to a winner than the rest of those public school rejects?"

"Bingo! Up until the you winning and public school reject bit, you lost me there. But come on," he nudged her, "We're both gonna make it far and we both don't take crap from anyone. With my expertise and your obvious need to be edgy and different we could kill this!"

"Fine." Auden agreed. "But only because I need to prove that I don't need to be edgy and different. I am edgy and different."

"That's the spirit!" Duncan smiled, causing the same reaction in Auden as they high-fived.

Watching all of this from a distance caused a reaction in Courtney that she wasn't proud of. She of course, didn't know what they could have possibly been talking about, but she knew she didn't like it. Catching up to Daniel, she decided two could play at this game.

"Hey!" She smiled happily, "Daniel, right?"

"Yeah. And you're Courtney, if memory serves correct." He smiled back one part charmingly and one part politely.

"I've been looking around and thinking a little bit and I feel like you're one of the strongest competitors. Not just on our team, but in the game at all! And since Chris is making us pick a new camper to take under our wing, I've chosen you!" Courtney's voice was hushed but ecstatic.

Although Daniel took a long moment to give her an answer he had a feeling he knew what he'd end up saying. He took into account that she was a good player, but seemed to be somewhat invested in what Duncan was doing all the time - something he was sure he could figure out to make a good thing. "Sure, Courtney. You've got yourself a deal and a partner." He continued to smile widely, deciding that this was a best case scenario for him.

Walking behind them was Bridgette who seemed slightly out of it. Noticing this, Griff pulled up beside her, just walking beside her for a short moment before finally speaking up. "Are you...are you okay? You seem sorta spacey. Not that there's anything wrong with that! But you just look like you could use some cheering up." He offered a small smile.

Politely smiling back, Bridgette shook her head slightly, "You noticed, huh? It's just...weird being back here. Just sort of makes certain thoughts come flooding back, you know?"

Pausing for a moment, Griff shook his head. "I don't actually know. But the best advice I can give you is to turn that frown upside down! If you get too in your own head, you just gotta get out, you know?" he shrugged happily.

Laughing, Bridgette nodded, "Yeah, you've got a point." Shaking her head as another small chuckle escaped her she turned back to Griff, "You know, I could see us getting along. What do you say? I'll be your old camper if you'll be my new one?"

"Deal!" Griff grinned excitedly, "That was way easier than I thought it'd be."

All members of all teams finally pulling up to meal hall, Chris was already waiting outside for them.

"Afternoon, campers! Glad to see a few of you have already become partners!" He looked around to see a few of the old campers clearly paired up with the new ones. "However, the challenge will be starting very soon which means!" Chris paused for dramatic effect, prior to clapping his hands together loudly, "It's time for you to pair up! So if you already have your old/new camper partnership figured out, please grab them and stand with them. Gophers over there," he pointed slightly to the left, "And bass over there!" he pointed to the right.

"Ooh! Yay! C'mon Mads!" Katie pulled who she had decided would be her new bff over to the beavers' designated side.

"Mads?" Madison questioned before smiling slightly as she got pulled, earning a small laugh from many of the other campers, and even Chris himself.

"Aw, I kind of feel bad for Madison." Bridgette placed a hand over her mouth as she tried to stifle a small laugh as she and Griff walked over to the Bass' side.

"I don't," Auden spoke up following them as she was followed by Duncan, "I don't trust her. She's too forcefully friendly...my money's on her being a robot."

"Are you joking? No way. An alien maybe, but not a robot." Duncan retorted, scoffing slightly.

"You're both insane." Eva spoke dryly but loudly, followed by Frankie.

"Ooh! Did someone say aliens?!" Izzy called out far too excitedly, dragging the twins along with her. "Also, hey guys! Look! I've got two partners! That's one more than each of you have! Hahaha!"

This, of course, earned a concerned look from Tia to her sister who hadn't even noticed until Tia nudged her. Mia in turn simply shrugged, knowing there wasn't anything they could do about it now.

"Wow, the bass are a mess." Courtney spoke loudly walking over to stand with Madison and Katie. "Good thing we've got this whole thing figured out already, right, Daniel?"

"Oh...yeah, of course." Daniel nodded and smiled, somewhat shocked, but more than anything aggravated that Courtney would throw him under the radar like that.

"Alright, alright, enough! Remember, the viewers are watching for me, not for you, so let's bring the camera back to moi." Chris spoke loudly. "Is that all the partners so far?" As he was met with silence he nodded. "Great! The rest of you have 2 minutes to pick and go stand with your team or else I will be picking for you! Ready? Go!"

Although most of the remaining campers were somewhat panicked (whether or not they would show it) Geoff and Michael simply looked at each other, before both of them saying "Dude?" in sync while also laughing and saying "heck yeah, dude!" also in sync, both high-fiving the other, making their way to stand with the rest of the already paired up members of the gophers.

Still standing there was Lucas, Shelby, Cody, and DJ for the bass, and Piper, Steve, Robin, Heather, Justin, and Ezekiel for the beavers. Looking around, Heather knew that she was going to have to act quickly or she would be stuck with someone horrible.

"Piper!" she called out suddenly, "What do you say?" Although she felt somewhat put on the spot, Piper nodded, putting a smile on for the cameras. She figured that Heather couldn't be dumb enough to really think she could manipulate her into doing her bidding. "Sure."

Linking their arms together, Heather began walking towards their team, speaking so quietly that nobody other than Piper could even tell she was speaking, "Follow my lead through this competition and we can destroy everyone."

Not paying attention to any of this, Ezekiel and Steve simply looked at each other and shrugged before walking together, following closely behind Heather and Piper.

Turning to Justin, Robin was slightly flustered, not expecting to be stuck with such an unarguably handsome man. "So, I uh...I guess we're together?"

"I guess so." Justin flashed a warm, kind smile, offering his hand which Robin sheepishly took as they both walked over to complete the pairs of the Killer Gophers.

"Looks like the Killer Gophers are all ready to go! Bass, you have 30 more seconds. Hurry it up! We're burning daylight, and my skin is sensitive." Chris practically whined, though he maintained a charming smile for the cameras.

DJ looked over to Lucas and offered a small but sincere smile. "We're already sharing a bunk - might as well spend a little more time together. Whattaya say?" His voice was cheerful and genuine.

Lucas looked around and realized that Cody was the only other original camper left. Given the options, he liked his chances with the big guy. "Sure. Why not?" Lucas shrugged and the two walked over to the other bass, leaving Shelby and Cody alone.

"Oh! Cool! Yeah, this was a good plan. Let everybody else run off. We got this. Right? Partner?" Cody smiled, nudging the female who he realized was his only choice for a new camper.

Pausing a moment to truly think it all over, Shelby realized that maybe she would be able to use this to her advantage. "Yep. it's gonna be great." Her voice was somewhat dull, but she smiled and walked in step with Cody over to their team nonetheless.

"Great! Now that we're all together...I have some great news for you!" Chris clapped his hands together, before being interrupted by Heather.

"Something tells me this is going to be better news for you than it is for us." She sneered.

"Well, I, for one, believe Chris, and I can't wait to hear what he has to say." Madison piped up, a smile on her face.

"Thank you, Madison! It's so nice to be appreciated!" Chris grinned back.

"Ugh, get a room." Heather crossed her arms over her chest, rolling her eyes as she spoke.

"Any! Ways!" As I was saying," Chris practically cut Heather off as he continued, "Of course one of the reasons for this new buddy system is so that yes, these newbies can get a little bit of a head start on getting to know the ole' Wawanakwa campgrounds. But! What would this show be without a little added drama? I mean, come on, it's in the title!"

This earned a confused look from mostly everyone, and then lead Michael to raise his hand sheepishly. "Uh, Mr. Chris...sir? What kind of drama?" He questioned, still a bit sheepish.

"Ah! I'm glad you asked Mr. Michael, sir." Chris winked before continuing on. "You and your partner will become very close...so close, in fact, that you will not be able to vote your partner off. Ever. So. I hope you chose wisely."

This brought a lot of different reactions in almost all of the campers. Katie squealed, while Madison tried her best to keep it together, Duncan and Auden looked at each other and simply shrugged, as did Ezekiel and Steve. Courtney simply smiled, and looked up at Daniel who greeted her in turn with a small polite smile of his own, Heather and Piper didn't look at each other but both had similar smirks on their face, Geoff and Michael high-fived, and Cody went for a high-five with Shelby who didn't notice as she was too stuck in her own thoughts, leaving cody hanging.

"Um, Chris?" Tia spoke up, eyes shifting between him and Izzy. "What happens if we do vote for our partner? How will anyone know?" She questioned, secretly hoping that the repercussions wouldn't be that bad.

"Ah, great question, Mia." Chris began speaking, sticking a finger up in the air.

"I'm Ti-" she began to correct him but was completely cut off.

"See, in case you've forgotten, we have cameras. Everywhere. So, if you try to vote your own partner off, we'll see, and it won't count as a vote for your partner. It will count as a vote for yourself to get the boot. Kapeesh?" He explained, raising his eyebrows.

Swallowing hard and nodding, Tia did her best to accept her fate as she looked at her sister and at Izzy once more.

"So, if we're all good with that, it's time to get started with the first challenge! Since this is a reboot of the same show that took place 10 years ago...we will be competing in all the same challenges! But, in a different order, of course. We can't have it be exactly the same. There's no shock factor there!" Chris practically yelled.

"So we're going to be competing in the exact same challenges as before? Really?" Duncan raised a skeptical eyebrow before rolling his eyes.

"You are! Of course, there will be small differences with this partner twist, but we'll cross that bridge once we get to it." Chris grinned. "But are we all ready to hear what the first challenge is?"He was met with mostly silence other than Michael who raised his hand once more, exclaiming. "Ooh! I'm ready Chris, I am!" Earning him a small laugh from Cody who was looking at him almost pitifully, and Geoff's arm on his shoulder, shaking his head at his now partner.

"Digging the enthusiasm, Michael." Chris chuckled. "But, get ready campers! Because as a welcome gift you'll all be competing in a super fun game we like to call...dodgeball."

A/N: So there's that chapter and the intro to the first challenge! If you are someone who has an OC in this story, it's time for another little interactive bit! I'm just going to ask you to let me know how your OC will do in the dodgeball challenge, if there's anyone they would specifically go after, or anyone they wouldn't, and if there's anyone on their team they would try to team up with on this challenge. Again, thanks so much for reading, and I'm just gonna reiterate that reviews are always heavily encouraged! thanks, and I'll see you in the next chapter!