A lone man strides confidently along the shoreline, the cameras capturing every step. "Welcome, viewers! Today, we announce the next big reality show taking place in the Yucatán Peninsula in México," the host announces. With a cut, the scene transitions to a jungle, birds chirp, as he continues talking. "Here, amidst the untamed wilderness, 20 courageous teenagers will embark on a thrilling challenge of wits. Divided into teams, they will face daily battles, pushing their limits to the edge. One team will emerge victorious, while the other will face the dreaded elimination, where a loser is chosen, sealing their fate and ending their journey. Stranded on this unforgiving terrain, they must fend for themselves, scavenging for food, constructing shelters, braving the elements, and fighting for immunity as someone loses every week. At the end the winner will claim the coveted prize of $500,000!" The host looked at the camera "I am Diego Rivera and this is Survival Quest: México!"
The camera panned to a boat carrying 10 contestants.
Constance Confessional:
"Hello, my dastardly viewers at home! I am going to win this game by casting spells from my spell book!" The girl showed the camera a big book that was larger than her arms. "Oh, and I can make potions using my potion-making skills! I can't wait to turn everyone into frogs!"
Ivan Confessional:
"Ivan wants to have fun, so Ivan will be nice to everyone, even mean people." Ivan laughed nervously.
Sylvia Confessional:
"I am a camp counselor back home, so I am hoping all the survival skills and leadership training I received at camp will help me during this show."
Edith Confessional:
"This game will be exciting. I am not sure what to expect, but I am prepared for anything."
Nicolas Confessional:
"Hey! I am Nicolas. Um, I am not sure what else to say. I love horses! Uh, that's all?" He said with unease.
Kyle Confessional:
"Kyle reporting for duty!" He saluted the camera. "I was in ROTC, and I've learned a great deal of discipline, teamwork, and following instructions. I am going to dominate this game using discipline. I doubt the others have much."
Cory Confessional:
"This part is boring. When can we get to the juicy stuff? I want to vote people out. I want to win challenges." He rolled his eyes, wanting the game to begin already.
Naomi Confessional:
The girl began singing, "Butterflies are not made out of butter! They are made with love and flowers!" She laughed after singing. "Hey guys! I'm Naomi, and my ultimate dream is to be a pop star! I am so excited to be participating in this game. I am ready to sing my way to the top!" She smiled at the camera and fluttered her eyes.
Sebastian Confessional:
The boy held a bow in his hand. "I am an archer, so I feel like my precision could help me out in the challenges. I have a keen eye. Hopefully, there will be an archery challenge."
Ruby Confessional:
"Another reality show with drama, where everyone laughs at people being dumb. Now I'm included in a dumb show. How exciting! Why did I sign up again?" She said sarcastically.
The camera cut to another boat, carrying 10 contestants.
Esmeralda Confessional:
"I am assuming the people on our boat will be our teammates in this competition. I hope they are all nice."
Jodie Confessional:
"The winning money is going to be all mine!" She laughed manically.
Fernando Confessional:
"That girl on the boat is pretty, Esmeralda? I think her name was. She is so gorgeous."
Malachi Confessional:
The boy flexed his muscles. "I am a bodybuilder, so my strength will be valuable in this competition. Have you seen the other guys? They are much smaller compared to me." He smirked.
Hugo Confessional:
The boy wore an eyepatch. "Arrgh, mateys! I am ready to throw some scallywags off the ship! Nobody stands in the way of me gold!"
Valentina Confessional:
"I am excited to be here! I hope to make new friends and have new experiences. This will be so much fun!"
Ronda Confessional:
"I am going to win this competition! I am so ready for whatever challenges come up!"
Isabella Confessional:
"Okay, first of all, I am winning. Second, I don't care who I hurt to achieve victory."
Juan Confessional:
"Do I really have to make a stupid confessional?" A voice off-screen told him yes. "Whatever, I don't care if viewers want to see me or not."
Miguel Confessional:
"I love games! This is right up my alley. I am determined, and I can get a bit competitive."
The boats arrived at the beach, and the contestants stood facing Diego.
"As you all know, this game will test your endurance. There will be days when you want to give up, but you can't. You must keep going. You may have noticed the boats you arrived in; there were 9 other people with you. They will be your team for this season."
Fernando Confessional:
"Yes! That means Esmeralda is on my team!"
Diego lifted up a red flag. "Esmeralda, Jodie, Valentina, Ronda, Isabella, Miguel, Juan, Hugo, Malachi, and Fernando, you guys are the Dragones de Fuego." He handed them the flag, which Malachi held.
He then brought out a blue flag. "Constance, Sylvia, Edith, Naomi, Ruby, Kyle, Sebastian, Cory, Nicolas, and Ivan, you guys are the Patos de Agua."
"Patos de Agua, head down the right trail to your camp. Dragones de Fuego, head down the left trail to your camp. The first challenge of the season will be held tomorrow."
Patos de Agua Camp:
As the Patos de Agua arrived at the camp, they noticed there was no shelter, only a bag of rice and a hatchet. "Oh, we're really in trouble now," Ruby said as she sat down on the sand.
"Don't be so dramatic, Ruby. I know how to build a shelter. We just need to make a plan on who will cut down the trees the fastest," Sylvia said, addressing the group.
"Ma'am, I can do it," Kyle stepped up.
"Okay, you'll be perfect," Sylvia said, handing him the hatchet. "Chop down some trees and branches. Edith, Sebastian, Naomi, go collect branches and grass to start a campfire." She directed them to the jungle.
"No, I want to explore the area," Edith said, crossing her arms.
"We can explore after we finish setting up the camp."
"No, I'm going to explore now," Edith said, and left, leaving Sylvia speechless.
Edith Confessional:
"I don't care what she says. I'm not going to let someone else tell me what to do."
Sylvia Confessional:
"What's her problem? Whatever, hopefully it's a one-time thing."
As the Patos de Agua worked and Edith explored, Constance stayed at the camp with Ruby.
"Ruby, watch me make a potion! It'll turn Sylvia into a frog," Constance said with enthusiasm.
"A helpless frog who only eats flies. Such a sad life," Ruby remarked.
Constance giggled and began smashing random plants and insects, pouring them into a small bottle she had smuggled onto the show. The liquid had insect guts poking out.
"Time to get our dear Sylvia to drink it!"
"That's disgusting. I want to see her drink it," Ruby said deviously.
The two girls found Sylvia, who was directing Kyle and Sebastian in building the shelter.
"Oh, Sylvia, I made a special potion for the one leading us tonight."
"Oh, thank you, Constance. That's very sweet of you," Sylvia replied as Constance handed her the potion.
"I want you to drink it!" Constance exclaimed, smiling. Sylvia looked at the potion and almost vomited at the sight of the insect guts.
"Are you sure this is safe to drink?" Sylvia questioned.
"You're going to get an illness and die," Ruby chuckled.
"It's perfectly safe! Watch!" Constance grabbed the potion and chugged it. "See! Perfectly safe."
Sylvia gagged. "Thank you for showing me your potion, but I need to finish building the shelter," Sylvia said, returning her attention to directing Kyle and Sebastian.
Dragones de Fuego Camp:
The Dragones de Fuego team had already finished building their shelter and had a fire going.
Esmeralda Confessional:
"I'm so proud of my team! Who knew teamwork could go such a long way?"
The team gathered around the campfire, sharing stories and laughing, making an effort to bond. Hugo got up and took off his eyepatch. "It is time for I, Hugo, to shed my feathers and grow skin. I shall go to great lengths to avenge my father, who sadly was eaten by pigeons," Hugo said dramatically, shedding a tear.
Juan laughed at Hugo. "That was the stupidest thing I've ever seen. Great job on being an idiot, because you really nailed it."
"Of course, a fool like you would never appreciate true talent when they see it. I am a king, and peasants like you know nothing of such arts," Hugo retorted.
"You don't even make sense. Is anyone buying his act?" Juan asked the others.
"I think it was beautiful," Esmeralda chimed in.
"Yeah, it was very beautiful. That tear was so emotional," Fernando quickly added, smiling at Esmeralda.
"Everyone on this team must be delusional," Juan said, getting up and walking away from the campfire.
As the night grew darker, the contestants fell asleep in their new shelter. Tomorrow would bring a challenge that would determine which team would have to vote someone out. It could be anyone, and they knew they would have to give their all if they wanted to win.