(Aurum Tribe)
The remaining members went back with mixed reactions about the vote. Cassie happily hugged Catherine's arm.
"Ooh, I was so scared tonight! Each time I saw my name come up, my heart beat faster and faster!" Cassie said in relief. "If it wasn't for Catherine and Ronald, I would had been gone! No offense to Margo but I am glad I am still here."
The French girl, Ronald and Catherine went to the side where she happily held Catherine's hands.
"Thank you so much for saving, guys!" Cassie smiled.
"Don't thank me! Thank Ronald!" Catherine grinned. "He was the one who rallied to keep you into the game."
"No, no. It is just a little thank you for believing in me just like Catherine did." Ronald reassured.
Cassie looked at the rat. "Well, if I had any doubts, they are gone now! I trust you to the fullest!"
With that, she ran over to the Ronald and wrapped her arms around his waist. Despite being a bit startled at first, he gave a small smile and patted his hand on her hatted head.
"Thank you." Ronald said. "That is all I needed to hear."
Catherine gave a small smile at this unaware of Ronald's smirk.
"So far, so good. Me and my two allies had survived another vote. Now with seven people left on my tribe, all I need is ONE people to flip." Ronald said. "However, the rest had rejected my pleas to join me in an alliance but hey, I am here over Queenmon. I think it is not impossible."
Meanwhile, Andrew sat against the palm tree with his arms crossed not looking pleased.
"Two times. Two times that rat had gotten his way even though it was as clear as day that he was up to no good." Andrew said grumpily. "I mean with Queenmon I somewhat understand but it was clear that Ronald only wanted to keep Cassie to manipulate her. To make things worse, if he gets his way one more time, it may be too late…"
(Day 10; Plata Tribe)
Bill, Prick, Amber and Coco sat around the fire pit talking to each other.
Coco gaped in awe. "No way! You actually did THAT!"
"Yep! Heh. The punk was just as shocked as you, lassie!" Prick said proudly.
"Good grief, man. Excuse me for sounding like a nag but it is no wonder you had been arrested twice!" Bill said in disbelief. "It is a miracle that you haven't been put in jail for good yet!"
"It's not like I did that to them just for kicks!" Prick insisted.
"It's not that we don't see your reasoning but even still, there is such a thing as going to far." Amber scolded.
Prick rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Hey, can I talk with your lassies and lad about something?"
"Um, sure. What is it?" Amber asked.
"Strategy." Prick said.
"I think we had laid back for long enough. Now is the time to start forming alliances!" Prick said punching his palm. "I want to start with the people I get along with the most which is Amber, Bill and Coco!"
"How about us four join an alliance?" The Irish man asked. "We all seemed to enjoy each other's company."
"An alliance?" Bill asked.
"Yeah. We are pretty well-balanced." Prick said.
Bill, Coco and Amber looked at each other.
"I like that!" Coco smiled.
"Yeah! It is just as you said, Prick!" Bill grinned. "We are pretty well-balanced so far!"
"I couldn't have thought of a better alliance! I am apparently the closest person to reminding Coco of her father, Prick is my homeboy and Amber and I have similar reasons for coming on the show." Bill grinned. "Well, the others are all right, I couldn't had picked a better alliance."
"So who do we target first?" Amber asked.
"Easy, Mortimer." Prick said simply. "He is our weakest player by far."
"Yeah, not only that, he is making me nervous." Amber winced. "It is as if everything out here but me wants him dead."
"I didn't even know bees could swarm and attack so fast." Coco said remembering what happened on Day 2.
"Then, it is settled. He is going yet." Prick said. "Better getting voted out than being med-evaced."
"Right." Bill nodded. "He seriously needs to learn how to do the Panic Dance."
Suddenly, he realized what he said. Looking around, he saw the others looking at him strangely.
"Bill, what is the Panic…"
"Nothing!"
"As much as I loved Mortimer to bits, his bad luck is started to put a damper on our tribe. I know that if he could help it, he would." Amber sighed. "But really? Why should I keep someone who gets attacked by nearly everyone and everything out here?"
(Aurum Tribe)
Janet was on her way to the stream to take a bath.
"Hey, Janet!"
The woman's eyes widened before turned around to see Oscar running over.
"Oh, yeah, Oscar. What's up?" Janet asked.
The orca whale looked around before sighing. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Um, sure, big guy." Janet said thinking it is related to his crush on Catherine.
Oscar narrowed his eyes.
"What is with the vote with your heart act last night?"
"I mean don't get me wrong, I am no good at strategy but I DO know that just voting with your heart is a major game flaw." Oscar said scratching his head. "And yet Janet, our leader suggested to just vote where we see fit. Sure, it ended without much of a hassle but still."
"Seriously? What the heck?" The strongman said. "Did you see how Andrew and Ronald were at each other's throats before you broke them up?"
Janet looked to the side.
"Oscar, remember when you asked me help you with your crush on Catherine, right?" The mercenary asked. "Can you return the favour?"
"Um, sure." Oscar said confused.
Janet looked at her large friend. "I suggested that we voted with our hearts to INVOKE the tension between Andrew and Ronald.
"What!?" Oscar cried in disbelief.
"Okay, I admit it. I lied. I purposely led on people onto voting with their hearts to deepen the gap between Andrew and Ronald." Janet said. "I wanted them to argue so much that they had lost sights on actual sights. Namely leaders."
"I didn't want to be seen as a threat so if I make those two fight against each other, they would be too blinded with rivalry to notice me as one." The Ikari Warrior shrugged.
Oscar stood stunned before crossing his arms. "You know, Jan, that isn't very leader-like."
"Well, that's because I never WANTED to be the leader!" The brunette snapped making Oscar jump. "Seriously, all I did was stop one stupid fight and suddenly I am the biggest target if I make it to the merge!"
Oscar's eyes were widened. "I… I never thought that you felt so strongly about it."
"Yeah, and because if I actually showed those feelings at the time, it doesn't matter if I was made the leader or not." Janet said rubbing her temples.
"Oh, wow… Sheesh." Oscar said. "I am sorry."
"No, no. I'M sorry. I should have snapped like that." Janet sighed.
The two paused for a moment.
"Sooo… Are we cool?" Janet asked.
"Yeah, we're cool. Your secret is safe with me." Oscar said.
"Oh, thank you." Janet said in relief.
"What can I say? Like you said, I kinda owed you." Oscar shrugged. "But seeing that I now know, that means I would be the first to know if you do something like that again."
"Don't worry. Now that I know I got someone I could trust, I will gladly tell you." Janet smirked.
"Righteous." Oscar said. "Anyway, I have to go talk with Catherine."
"Back at it again?" Janet asked with a smirk.
"Hey, I just need to give her some time to cool down." Oscar shrugged. "Anyway, see ya. I just hope you know what you are doing."
He then gave Janet a fist-bump before walking off. Janet watched him leave with a small frown.
"So do I."
"As much as I feel bad for snapping at Oscar like that, I am so glad I got that out of my system. Not only that, I got someone I know has my back." Janet said. "Oscar may be a dope but he is a lovable dope. Even though to this day, I still question his taste in women."
(Day 11; Plata Tribe)
Richard helped Mortimer to the shore. The duck was covered in pinch marks.
Richard paused for speaking. "Never had I even heard about crabs being so violent."
"That's because most crabs haven't met me…" Mortimer muttered.
"I hate my luck and the feeling is quite mutual. Something painful or embarrassing happens to me that shouldn't logical happen to most people." Mortimer said with a sigh. "I don't know… Maybe the world just hates me."
The movie dome manager rubbed his arm as Richard looked on.
"I have to say, Mortimer, you are an intriguing man." Richard noted. "Never had I met someone who is a magnet to so much misfortune."
"Well, I am so glad that my misery makes for a great exhibit." The duck said rubbing his wounds while rolling his eyes. "Honestly, I don't know what I did to deserve all of this. Did I break a mirror the day I was born?"
Richard merely scoffed. "Now you are just being silly. Bad luck superstitions like breaking a mirror and walking under a ladder do not exist."
That was until a coconut fell on a nearby tree and hit Mortimer on the head. The duck staggered in his spot before falling on his head. Richard blinked twice.
"Then again, I am from a node with a blue-haired catgirl. Nothing can be too illogical." Richard said crouching down.
"Guys! Treemail!" Coco said walking into camp causing everyone to gather around. They were quick to notice Mortimer's pinch mark and his bump on his head.
"Oh my goodness!" Kao gasped. "What happened to you, Mortimer?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Mortimer said grumpily. "So I assume it is time for our next Challenge."
"Um, yes…" Coco nodded before reading. "It says "Are you as mighty as the wind?"
Amber blinked twice. "Okay, that is vague even for them."
"Perhaps but still there is no counting out that it has something to do with wind." Richard mused.
"I must admit that I am stumped with the wind comment. I mean none of the Challenges on previous seasons had anything involving wind." Kao said scratching his head. "Then again, I seen a lot of original Challenges so far so maybe we will get a new one."
(Reward Challenge)
The Plata tribe walked onto the mat.
"We now bring in the Aurum tribe." Tiny said as the Aurum tribe walked in. "Margo voted out at the last Tribal Council."
"No big surprise there." Prick shrugged.
"Are you ready for your next Reward Challenge?" Tiny asked as everyone nodded. "Good. Take a look."
Everyone looked around and once they did, their eyes widened. There were two set of seven conveyor belts leading all the way to the ocean. On the other side of the belts was a giant fan.
"Here is your next Challenge. You will all be standing on a conveyor belt each. When it started to moving, you would have to run against it AND a moving fan." Tiny said. "If you fall into the water, you are out. Last person to stay on for their tribe wins Reward. Want to know what you are playing for?"
Everyone nodded despite still confused as to where Tiny got the giant fans in the first place.
"Rice. A heap load of it. Definitely better than eating fruit and fish." Tiny said. "Now Plata, you have one extra member, who are you sitting out?"
"Mortimer." Coco said.
"All right, Mortimer. Take a seat next to me." Tiny said. "As for the rest of you, we will draw for spots."
(Later)
Everyone stood on their respective conveyor belts.
"All right, for Reward." Tiny said. "Survivors, ready? GO!"
The conveyor belts started to move as the fan started to blow. Everyone started to run quickly realizing how strong the wind was. Nonetheless, they all tried to run against the strong current. However, Coco and Cassie quickly fell tumbling backwards all the way into the ocean.
"Coco and Cassie are out!" Tiny shouted.
Coco poked her head out of the water muttering under her breath. "What was I thinking doing this Challenge?"
Amber and Ronald were having trouble trying to fight the wind due to their small and skinny statures respectively. Kao and Oscar had no problem fighting the wind though to their large builds but they were running so slow that they weren't making any ground.
Soon, Amber and Ronald fell into the water with a big splash.
"Amber and Ronald are out!" Tiny said.
Suddenly, Sally tripped and fell down. She tried to get back up but she was sent tumbling into the water.
"And so is Sally!" Tiny said as the blonde swam away sulking off.
The others were doing a great job fighting the wind. They all seemed to be pretty even so far. However, they were all slowly losing ground.
Soon, Kao stumbled back into the water followed by Oscar and Prick.
"Kao, Oscar and Prick are out!" Tiny yelled.
"Dang it!" Prick said angrily punching the water.
It was now four against two. Janet, Andrew, Max and Catherine. Suddenly, Catherine stumbled a bit fell onto the conveyor belt sending her flying straight onto her face and into the water.
"Catherine is out!" Tiny said.
The final five continued running despite their legs felt like they were about to give out from beneath them. Everyone looked on hoping for the best.
Then, they saw Richard and Andrew fell down and zoomed straight off the belts into the water.
"Richard and Andrew are now out!" Tiny shouted.
The two men poked their heads out of the water looking annoyed.
"Well, this stinks…" Andrew muttered.
"WHOA, NELLY!"
Andrew looked to the side to see Max flying towards him.
CRASH!
Everyone winced at Max crashed straight into Andrew knocking the two into the water.
"No… NOT this "stinks"…" Richard said flatly.
"Um, Max is now out!" Tiny said. "Bill and Janet remain for their respective tribes."
The cop and the mercenary both continued running with their respective tribes cheering for them. Both of them wanted the win but only one could have it.
Suddenly, they all saw someone fall down. The other person fell down as well but by that the time, their opponent had already fell in.
"Janet fell in first!" Tiny shouted. "PLATA WINS REWARD!"
The Plata tribe cheered Bill as he poked his head out of the water raising his fist in the air with a grin on his face.
(Later)
"Congratulations, Plata. You had won Reward! At least two sackfuls of rice will be at your camp when you return." Tiny said. "Also, you have the choice to send someone else to Exile Island where they will get a clue to the hidden Immunity Idol."
"We'll send… Catherine." Bill said.
Oscar's face fell as the pink-haired girl nodded.
"Catherine, the boat for Exile Island is waiting for." Tiny said before turning to the others. "As for the rest of you, I got nothing for you. You may head back to camp.
(Plata Tribe)
The Plata tribe walked back to camp to see the large two sacks of rice.
"Whoa! Don't tell me THAT'S how big the sacks of rice are!" Amber cried in disbelief.
"Oh yeah! That's how big they are." Prick grinned.
"And it is all thanks to you, Bill!" Kao said.
"Hey, hey!" The bearded man said scratching the back of his head.
"So far, so good! We have won four Challenges in a row so far and that is after that poor start we had at the start." Bill grinned. "And I might Nina was thinking we were going to be Ulonged after she left. Still, there is no reason to be cocky. We still got a long way to go."
However, not everyone was happy. Sally gave a small sigh before walking off. Kao raised an eyebrow before walking off after the blonde woman.
"Sally, where are you going?" Kao asked confused. "Don't you want to eat with us?"
The Street Fighter merely sighed making sure that the two were a bit of distance away from the others.
"It's not that, it's… In another Challenge, I did horrible at." Sally lamented.
"What are you talking about? You didn't do that poorly." Kao said raising a non-existent eyebrow.
"But besides a small dog and a nine-year-old, I was the first person for our tribe off the conveyors belts." Sally said looking to the side. "It is because I am clumsy."
"Hey, the conveyor belt WAS going very fast and it was hard enough running without the giant fan blowing at us." Kao shrugged.
"It is not just the belts." Sally said. "At the digging Challenge, I was the last person to get a ball. I lost the round against Max in the eating duel. I never had gotten a real chance to shine as an asset."
"So far I had been horribly in the Challenges so far. I am supposed to be a Street Fighter. Street Fighters are supposed to be strong." Sally lamented. "And yet here I am sucking so hard."
"But Sally, don't you think you are being a little negative?" Kao asked. "I mean the reason Bill initially chose you to carry lumber on Day 1 is because he believed in you."
"But I had to switch roles with Nina just to shut her up not only at that time but also at the first Challenge as well." The braided woman insisted. "I never got a chance to show off my real power!"
Kao put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, hey. Don't worry. I am sure you will get your chance."
"You really think so?" Sally asked.
"I know so." Kao said with an unseen smile. "After all, you are from a fighting game. And you have to be strong."
Sally paused for a moment. "Isn't that what Nina claimed?"
Kao's eyes widened at this. "Um, what I meant was! Uh… Well, Nina tried to… And then she voted out… And you are not trying to do what Nina did… So you are strong."
Sally blinked twice in confusion. "Um, Kao. I know you are trying to make me feel better and I thank you in advance but what's the point if I can't even understand what you are trying to say?"
Kao gave a deep sigh. "Look, we aren't even going to Tribal Council. Just wait a Challenge you know you would be good at."
Sally paused before nodding. "All right. Thank you, Kao."
"It is all right. I mean not only are we friends but we are also alliance partners." The Pianta said.
"I think Sally is selling herself short. I mean I think I did just as well as Sally in the Challenges she claimed she did poorly in and I don't think it was that bad." Kao said. "She could easily outmuscle Amber, Coco, Mortimer and maybe Richard. That is half of the tribe. That is not a liability to me."
"OY, YOU TWO!" Prick's voice shouting getting Sally and Kao's attention. "The rice is ready!"
"Oh, right!" Kao said before turning to Sally. "Come on, Sally."
"Um, right." The blonde woman said.
(Aurum Tribe)
"We lost ANOTHER Challenge and even though it is just a Reward Challenge, it still stinks… What happened to our teamwork in the early stages?" Cassie asked in despair. She then sat up. "There IS some redeeming factor to this. Catherine is now on Exile Island."
She and Ronald sat on the outskirts of camp talking.
"Do you really think Catherine can find the Idol?" Cassie asked.
"I think so." Ronald shrugged. "Catherine is a… eccentric girl but she isn't stupid. There are three clues. She should be able to find it."
"I sure hope so. I have a feeling that one of us could be next the next time we go to Tribal Council." Cassie said.
"I have the same feeling too. But however, even though we desperately need the Idol, it may not be needed." Ronald said.
"Huh?" Cassie asked confused.
"We are an alliance of three on a tribe of seven." Ronald said. "All we need is just one person to flip and we would have the majority."
"Really? But who do we go to?" Cassie asked.
Ronald frowned. "I do not know yet. What I DO even though the vote DOES go our way at the next Tribal Council, we still need that Idol."
"Oui." Cassie nodded.
"All I could do for now is to wait and see if Catherine finds the Idol because I know that one of us would be next." Ronald said crossing his arms. "If she doesn't, I just have to find a way to manipulate one of the others to vote with us. The fact that I had so much trouble getting to align with them doesn't make things easier."
Andrew looked watched as the two talked. The father shook his head before walking off.
"I hate this. Ronald is obviously lying straight to those girls' faces and there is nothing I could say to convince that he is bad news." Andrew said crossing his arms. "Also, Janet doesn't seem to know that she is slowly giving that creep power and Oscar is just riding on her coattails. Unfortunately, that leaves me to the only other option.
Andrew walked over to Janet.
"Janet, have you seen Max?" Andrew asked.
"Yeah, he said he was going to take a nap in the shelter." The mercenary said jerking her thumb behind her.
"Thank you." Andrew said with a nod before walking off.
The archaeologist waded through the water before arriving at the shelter. Much to his surprise, there was nobody in it.
"What the? But Janet said he felt to take a nap in here a couple of minutes of ago!" Andrew said. He then slumped his shoulders. "Oh. All it takes him is one minute to take a nap."
He then grunted before looking around.
"Where is that motorcycle riding loon?" Andrew said in exasperation.
"You rang?"
Andrew jumped before looking up. He then saw Max jumping down from the top of the shelter.
"What was you doing up there?" Andrew asked.
"Taking a nap." Max shrugged. "At the same time, having a tan."
Andrew narrowed his eyes. "You better hope that if the shelter breaks because of your naps that your limbs will break with them because you would NOT like it if I had to do myself."
"Geez, always finding something to be grumpy about, aren't ya?" Max said wringing his finger in his ear. "What do you want, anyway?"
"I want to talk to you about something." Andrew said.
Max immediately shrank back holding his hands in defence. "Now hold on! Crashing into you at that Challenge was an accident! Albeit a funny one!"
Andrew's eyebrow twitched. "No, that is it. Listen, tell me. Who did you voted to go home at the last Tribal Council?"
Max tilted his head in confusion. "Cassie."
"I knew it." Andrew said shaking his head. "I don't know how but you are the only person besides me and Margo to figure out the dangers of giving Ronald power."
Max blinked twice. "Giving… Ronald… Power?"
Andrew returned the expression. "You didn't vote for Cassie to take down Ronald's alliance, did you?"
"Nope! I had voted for Cassie because I am tight with Margo!" Max said.
Andrew sighed slapping his head. "Okay, you know what? I don't care! You are still the best person to ask!"
Max paused. "Huh? Best person to ask about WHAT?"
"Listen, I need your help. We cannot afford to let Ronald to get any more power than he already has." Andrew said.
"What power? He got two little girls at his command." Max said in disbelief.
"Yeah but he has an alliance of three in a tribe of seven. All he needs is one person to flip and he could shape the game in his liking!" Andrew said.
Max put his hands behind his back. "Good grief. Is THAT what you are worried about? Andy, everyone but Catherine and Cassie knows that Ronnie is evil."
"All the more reason for us to gang up on him before it is too late." Andrew scolded. "Give that rat an inch and he goes a mile."
Max paused. "So we are an alliance?"
"Um…" Andrew paused.
"Great!" Max grinned. "I just know that we are going to be the Ace and Mark of this season!"
With that, he wrapped his arms around Andrew in a big hug who looked stunned.
"This is awesome! I am an alliance! Now only that, it is against an evil rat so that means we are going to be knights!" Max grinned. "Watch out, Ronnie! We are coming after you!"
Andrew sat in front of the camera crossing his arms. "I did NOT think this through."
(Exile Island)
Catherine stepped off the boat to Exile Island and walked forward looking around at the area. She then paused.
"THIS PLACE IS FREAKING BIGGER THAN OUR ACTUAL CAMP!"
"Seriously, I had gone to Exile Island expecting a poor man's version of our camp but it turns out that this place is MORE spacious than our campsite!" Catherine grunted. "UGH! Now I so determined to win this stupid game! Then I could take over production of this show, find the guy who chose our campsites and sent his stupid butt to the street!"
The pink-haired girl angrily stomped around ranting about how unfair it was. Suddenly, she noticed a sign. With a sigh, she made her way over.
"Well, as long as I'm here, I might as well find that Idol." She muttered.
"I definitely think my alliance needs that Idol. We had gotten lucky twice so far but luck could only so far." Catherine said. "We may need only one person to flip but I don't trust the rest of those guys as far as I could throw them to keep Ronald safe. Seriously, if there is one thing Queenmon is good for is being a free vote for him."
The animal-fanatic scanned the sign thoroughly.
"Hmm… I think there is… Yes, I think I know where it is!" Catherine read.
She then walked over to a spot and crouching down. Using her hands, she started to dig furiously looking eager.
However after a minute of digging, she stopped with a frown.
"It is not here!" Catherine said. "How could this be? Did I read the clue wrong?"
"Great. Ronald and Cassie are counting on me to find that Idol and I came up empty-handed. What am I going to tell them when I head back to camp?" Catherine asked before looking down and sighing. "All I could hope is that Oscar or Max say something stupid and make everyone hate them causing them to spare Ronald and Cassie by default."
(Day 12; Plata Tribe)
Bill and Coco walked over to the treemail box.
"What kind of Challenge do you think we will have today?" Coco asked.
"Beats me. You could never tell with these things." Bill shrugged.
Coco looked down. "I really hope that we get a Challenge that isn't too hard for me. I did horribly in the last Challenge."
"Hey, hey, chin up, kid. We all have to face things we are not good at." Bill said putting a hand on Coco's head.
The little girl looked up. "So you don't mind that I am doing poorly in the Challenges?"
"Hey, it is not like it is your fault. After all, you are still going through some stuff." Bill said.
Coco gave a giggle. "Thank you, Bill."
"No problem." The cop said.
"Oh man! I LOVE playing the "woe is me" card! I could cost the tribe Challenges, lose their items AND kick a monkey and anyone who even DARES of targeting me would be sent straight off to the Loser's Lodge!" Coco grinned.
Billy took out a letter out of the treemail box.
"We got another Challenge. Are you ready?" He asked before Coco happily nodded. "Good, let's go."
With that, the two went back to camp.
"Everyone! We got treemail!" Coco called out summoning everyone.
"All right! What had we got?" Sally looking eager.
"Hmm… It just says "Have you ever played women's lacrosse before?" Bill read.
Everyone paused. Suddenly, all of the men looked the women. The latter blinked twice before looking at all of the stares.
"Well, this isn't sexist stereotyping." Amber said flatly.
"I was a bit of a jock back in my high school. I played all sort of sports. Except for women's sports. And basketball." Prick said before muttering under his breath. "Stupid hoop. Anyway, judging from the women's reactions, they never played the game either. Whatever. I am not going to lose this."
(Immunity Challenge)
Both tribes stood on their respective mats where Tiny was waiting.
"We now bring in Catherine from Exile Island." Tiny said with the schoolgirl walked in.
"Catherine!" Oscar grinned stepping forward. "How was Exile Island? Was it scary? Did you get lonely? DID you need someone to protect you?"
The pink-haired girl paused before looking at Ronald and Cassie. "Guys! Did you miss me?"
Oscar froze in his spot as Janet shook her head.
"Um, right. Anyway, let's go to your next Challenge." Tiny said. "Take a look."
Everyone looked around to see a playing field somewhat similar to a soccer field. They also saw long thin nets.
"Here is your next Challenge. You will be playing a match of women's lacrosse." Tiny said. "If you don't know how to play, here is how it is going to work. Using the provided nets and ONLY the nets, you will have to throw a ball pass the other person's goal with one person guarding it. If you throw it into the net, you score a point for your team. We will be playing for fifteen minutes WITH half-time. The tribe with the most goals at the end of the fifteen wins Immunity."
Everyone looked at each other.
"Now, Plata. You have one extra member." Tiny said. "Who are you sitting out?"
"I'll will." Coco said.
"All right. I will give you a minute to strategize." Tiny said.
(Later)
Both teams got ready. Andrew and Richard had been chosen to be the goalie for their respective tribes. Tiny stood on a podium
"All right, for Immunity! Survivors, ready!" Tiny said throwing the ball at the others. "PLAY BALL!"
Both tribes charged at each other. Max was the quickest and scooped up the ball first.
"Ha! First second and the ball is mine!" Max cheered.
"Not for long!" Bill shouted swinging his net at Max's net. The biker smirked before pulling his net avoiding the swing.
"Jan, go long!" Max shouted launching the ball over to Janet. The mercenary stepped backwards before catching it with her net. However, Prick's net came out of nowhere and smacked the ball of the net.
With a smirk, he scooped up the ball with his net and threw it over to Kao.
"Kao, now!" Prick shouted. The Pianta nodded before using all of his strength to throw it at the goal. Andrew thought quickly and caught it.
Only for him to be forced back into the net back-first.
"That's a goal! Plata leads 1-0!" Tiny said.
"Andrew!" Cassie said running over. "Are you all right?"
"Define all right." The adult man said holding his shoulder.
The two went back to their places waiting for Tiny. The host nodded before throwing the ball. Everyone immediately ran for it with their nets. This time, the winner wasn't clear as a giant fight cloud appeared as people swung their nets like crazy.
Most of them that the ball had harmlessly rolled away where a few people saw it.
"There!" Ronald shouted rushing over to the ball.
Suddenly, a brown blur zoomed in front of him taking the ball with it. Blinking his blank eyes, he looked to see Amber with the ball in her net and a smug smirk.
"Hey!" Ronald snarled as he rushed forward to get the ball back but Amber easily dove out of the way.
"Kao, think fast!" Amber said through her teeth throwing it to Kao. The Pianta easily caught it.
Only to be bulldozed into by Oscar making the ball fly straight up into the air.
"I got it!" Max shouted running forward.
"As if! I got it!" Prick yelled rushing forward.
"I do!" Max yelled.
"No, I do!"
CRASH!
Everyone winced in pain as Max and Prick crashed into each other causing both of them to fall onto backs in pain. Prick held his head that had stars encircling it while Max clutched his stomach trying to get his wind back.
"You got it." Bill said rolling his eyes and scooping up the ball. Suddenly, he jumped back to avoid a net swing from Janet.
"Sally, now!" Bill shouted throwing it to the braided women. She swung her net to catch it.
Until Sally accidentally smacked it instead and sent it flying towards Mortimer. The duck yelped before somehow catching it. He then looked up to see Max and Oscar charging at him.
Giving a yelp, he ducked to the ground holding his hands over his head dropping his net. Despite startled by this, Max smirked.
"Last minute hockey shot!" Max shouted hitting the ball towards the goal straight through the stunned Richard's legs and into the goal.
"Goal! We are tied 1-1!" Tiny said.
"Are you freaking serious!?" Prick asked standing up. "How could anyone mess up such a catch?"
"I'm sorry…" Mortimer muttered.
"It's all right." Amber said. "Let's go back to the Challenge!"
The Challenge continued on. The two tribes kept scoring goal after goal knowing that Immunity was on the line. After fourteen long minutes, there was one minute left on the clock and the score was tied.
Tiny eyed both tribes as they glared sparks at each other.
"All right. This is the final round. Survivors, ready." Tiny said before throwing the ball. "GO!"
Prick and Max both charged at the ball with their nets. However, they ended up clashing their nets with each other. Bill took this distance to lunge forward and scoop up the ball. However, Janet and Catherine charged at him.
The cop's eyes widened before throwing the ball. "Kao!"
Bill then launched the ball at the Pianta who caught it. Suddenly, Oscar grabbed him from the behind.
Coco looked at Tiny with wide eyes. "Is that allowed in a normal match of women's lacrosse?"
The host merely shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not but I think a couple of castaways had broken a couple of rules in one way or another so I can't complain."
Kao struggled to get of the strongman's grip but it was too strong. "SALLY!"
The yellow giant launched the ball towards Sally. The fighter yelped before swinging her net catching the ball with her net. Looking up, she saw Max, Janet and Catherine rushing towards her. With a shriek, she jumped out of the way to avoid being tackled by Max and Janet and used his hand to shove Catherine down.
Narrowing her eyes, she pulled the ball back hard before sending forward.
Only to find that nothing was flying forward. Raising an eyebrow, she looked back. Her eyes widened in horror when she found the ball flying backwards.
Straight towards Mortimer. With a yelp, the white duck managed to catch the ball with his net. He then looked to see Oscar charging over.
"Mort! Over here!" Kao shouted. "I'm open!"
"No! Pass it over here!" Bill yelled.
Mortimer looked around trying to figure out whom to throw it too. However by this time, Oscar swung his net at Mortimer's net knocking it straight out of the neurotic's hand. Mortimer yelped before falling down on his rear. Quickly scooping it up, he sent it straight towards the goal. The ball found its way into Richard's stomach.
The Plata tribe looked in despair as Richard fell backwards into the net back-first.
"It's a goal! And at the last second too!" Tiny smirked. "AURUM WINS IMMUNITY!"
The Aurum tribe cheered for Oscar as the Plata looked down defeated, beaten and saddened.
"Are you all right, Mortimer?" Sally asked sadly.
"I guess." The duck said as Sally helped him up.
Suddenly, Prick roared before breaking his net on his knee snapping it in half surprising everyone.
"It was an easy move! A freaking child could do! All you had to do was swing your net forward!" Prick said stomping towards Mortimer. "Swing it. Forward!"
"Um, well…" Mortimer winced.
"Do you realize how close we were to winning the Challenge if you didn't give Aurum an easy win?" Prick roared. "How could you mess up such an easy shot?"
"Hey, now…" Sally frowned.
"No! That was absolutely pathetic! In fact, all of the attempts had been pathetic!" Prick cried in disbelief.
Mortimer winced before looking down.
"How could somebody be so useless? I mean…"
That was until a net bonked him on the head. Prick rubbed his head before turning around to see Bill glaring down at him.
"Prick, that is enough." Bill said sternly.
The porcupine returned the glare before turning to see tears forming in Mortimer's eyes and Sally looking disappointed. Shaking his head, he walked out.
"Whatever. The choice coming up to Tribal Council is obvious." Prick said.
Tiny blinked twice at all of the drama that had appeared. "Well, at least the ratings will go up."
Nearly everyone threw their nets at the host.
(Later)
Tiny put an ice pack to his forehead after being smacked with a net. "Congratulations, Aurum. You had won Immunity keeping you safe from Tribal Council."
He then turned to the upset Plata tribe.
"As for you, Plata, I got nothing for you but Dr. Phil's number." Tiny said. "You may head back to camp."
(Plata Tribe)
Bill, Prick, Amber and Coco all sat at the fire pit looking quiet. Not because they lost the Challenge but rather the blow-up after the Challenge.
Then, Prick broke the silence.
"Ah, come on! I can't be the only person who was upset we lost!"
"We lost our first Challenge in a while and I know it is arrogant to assume for a perfect streak, we could have kept it going if Mortimer didn't messed things up for us." Prick growled. "I kinda lost my temper with him and now everyone is giving me glances making my quills crawl."
"It's not that we don't understand being upset over losing." Amber said getting off the log. "It's just that we don't understand taking it out on Mortimer."
"He freaking cost us the Challenge! And in a pathetic way I might add!" Prick scolded. "It's not that I haven't gone after someone innocent!"
"That still doesn't justify your actions!" Bill scolded. "Mortimer may have lost it for us but he didn't mean to."
"Yeah, he was trying his best!" Coco said.
"If that was his best, I shudder to see him at his worst." Prick said shaking his head.
Amber narrowed her eyes. "Your parents were wise when naming you."
"Oh, gee. Like I haven't heard THAT one before." Prick said rolling his eyes. "Look, it doesn't matter because I think he should definitely go home tonight. I think I already said what I wanted about him so I promise that I won't make his stay any less pleasant."
"I should hope so." Amber scolded. "And I couldn't care less how badly one of us loses the Challenges, what you did to Mortimer had better be the last time you threw a tantrum like that. Understand?"
"Yes, mother." Prick muttered.
"Oh please. If I was your mother, I would whip you into shape." Amber scolded.
"If you were our mother, I would run away from home." Prick muttered.
"Guys, please. No more scary shouting." Coco begged feigning a scared little girl look.
"Yeah, let's just try to make it nice and painless for Mortimer." Bill said.
"As much as I am mad at Prick for yelling at Mortimer like that, he does have a point. Mortimer DID cost us the Challenge." Amber said sadly. "Don't misunderstand. I am keeping an eye on Prick to see that this is the last time he does something like that but for now, I am afraid this is farewell for now, Mortimer."
Meanwhile, Mortimer was sobbing into a tree with Richard watching him.
"Come on. Crying isn't going to make things better." Richard said.
"But… But Prick is right! I AM useless!" Mortimer said continue his sobbing. "I literally had the ball in the net and all I needed to do was pass but… WAHHH!"
Richard grunted in disgust before handing Mortimer a palm tree leaf. "Here, Mortimer. Blow. I can't stand a grown man acting like this."
"Oh, gee. Your concern is REALLY rewarding." Mortimer said blowing into the palm tree.
"Well, that's just the truth. Prick's outburst may had been out-of-line but you didn't really do anything to defend yourself." Richard scolded.
"Defend yourself? On what?" Mortimer asked. "Prick was right. I was horrible in the Challenges."
"And that gives him to walk straight over you?" Richard asked.
Mortimer looked surprisingly furious. "Well what else do you expect me to do? The size difference is in my favour but he could easily send me to the moon with one punch."
"You DO realize that physical violence would get Prick threw out of the game, right?" Richard asked flatly. "And I don't care how strong Prick is. There is no way a punch from him could send you flying into the moon."
"Don't misunderstand, I like Richard but he is just so… blunt. He makes no effort mincing his words when speaking to others." Mortimer said wiping his teary eyes. "I mean if someone told me I did the best I could, I knew that there were telling a white lie but still."
Mortimer rolled his eyes. "What's the point? Even if everyone is mad at Prick, they would still acknowledge how awful I did at the Challenge but vote me off. In a weird way, I should thank Nina. If I wasn't on her tribe, I would have easily been the early boot."
Richard blinked twice before shaking his head.
"Well, Mortimer. I enjoyed our time together but don't expect me to vote to keep you in because of that." Richard said. "Seeing that everyone wants you gone."
Mortimer sighed before looking down. However, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Richard glaring at you.
"I am going to try to keep you because you need to learn to man up and stand up for yourself." Richard said sternly. "I could understand your negative attitude forming from your horrendous luck but that is no reason for people to walk over you. Stay here. I will do what I can."
Mortimer blinked twice. "Um, okay…"
"I know I am risking my game trying to save the target but Mortimer seriously needs to stand up for himself. If he leaves now, he will continue to be a miserable doormat." Richard said crossing his arms. "I have to find a way to keep Mortimer despite the majority wants him gone."
The mad scientist made his way through camp thinking.
"Hmm… Let's think this out as if I was playing a chess match." Richard mused. "Kao and Coco are both pawns meaning they wouldn't do much against the opposition. Prick is clearly part of the other side no matter what. I think Sally and Amber are knights. They could be what I needed but…"
Richard then stopped sighed rubbing his temples.
"As of right now, Bill is the queen. For now whatever he says, goes without question." He said. "If I could convince him to keep Mortimer, everyone but Prick would gladly be on board. But how…"
"I messed up! I really messed up!"
Richard jumped at the sudden shout. Raising his eyebrow, he walked over to the direction of the voice.
He then saw Kao trying to comfort a disheartened Sally.
"Come on. It wasn't that bad." Kao said.
"Yes, it was! Everyone was counting on me to win and I let them down!" Sally said. "I had it!"
"Sally, I think you are overreacting." Kao said.
"How am I!?" Sally said hysterically. "You saw how Prick yelled at me after I messed up."
Richard's eyes widened at this.
"I had cost my tribe the Challenge today by sending the ball backwards because of my own stupidity. And then Prick called me out." Sally said holding her eyes. "He is right. I am pathetic. I am supposed to be a fighter and yet I did horrible in the Challenges."
The Street Fighter sighed before wiping her eyes. "Kao, vote me out."
"What? Why?" The giant asked in disbelief. "I thought we are in an alliance.
"If you vote to keep me in, the others would go after you." Sally said. "After all, who would want a Street Fighter who can't even do silly Challenges?"
"No! There must be another way!" Kao said.
"There isn't. Aside from you, everyone wants me gone." Sally said.
"I wouldn't go that far."
Kao and Sally jumped to see Richard walking over.
"Richard? How much were you listening to?" Sally gasped.
"Every word after I messed up." Richard said simply.
Kao blinked twice. "Wait. What do you mean that you wouldn't go that far?"
Richard coolly adjusted his glasses. "Well, for starters, I don't think you are at all responsible for what happened at the Challenge."
"R-Really?" Sally asked surprised.
"Of course not. And I don't think you should be voted out because of it." Richard said.
Sally stood stunned. "Don't play with me, Richard. Are you seriously going to try to keep me?"
"Yes, I do." Richard said. "Also, I have good chemistry with Mortimer so if I ask him, he would help keep you too."
"Really? That's wonderful!" Kao beamed.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait." Sally said. "Who will be the fifth vote?"
"I don't think there will be a fifth vote." Richard explained. "It would have to be a tiebreaker."
Sally's eyes widened. "What!?"
"It is the only way." Richard said. "Now who should we target? Prick?"
"What? No! I thought you said you wanted to save me?" Sally asked in disbelief.
"I am." Richard said confused.
"Then, why are you pitting me against an actual asset in a tiebreaker?" Sally asked. "He would crush me?"
"So you are actually going to let Prick walk over him?" Richard asked in disbelief.
"Why not? He certainly has a reason too." Sally said looking down making Richard cringe in disgust.
"In that case, why not target a weaker member? You know to give you a chance." Kao suggested.
"Good idea. Seeing that Mortimer may be my saving grace, I guess the choice is between Amber or Coco." Sally sighed.
"I don't want to vote off Coco!" Kao said. "The blindside would shake her up already than she already is."
"Me either…" Sally sighed. "I guess we have to settle for Amber."
Richard paused for a moment. "Very well. Amber, it is."
"I really don't want to vote off Amber. Despite being a quadruped, she had proven to be a bigger asset than I was." Sally lamented. "But even though I probably deserve it, I don't want to go home. Not this early. Sorry, Amber but you have to go."
Richard crossed his arms looking exasperated. "With a few people with so little self-esteem, it is a wonder how this is our first Challenge we lost in a while."
(Tribal Council)
The eight people made their way to Tribal Council with their torches where Tiny was waiting.
"Welcome, Plata. Take a seat." Tiny obliged.
Everyone sat down.
"Now, Kao. This is your first loss in a long while. Surely this must be a harsh blow." Tiny said.
"Yes, it was. But at the same time, it was expected." The Pianta said. "After all, you can't win them all. I am not saying that we shouldn't stop trying to but we can't win every single Challenge."
"Well, Prick says otherwise. Am I right, Prick?" Tiny asked.
"Way to put me on the spot." The porcupine said rolling his eyes. "Okay, I am mad that we lost the Challenge but I am more upset about HOW we lost it. Especially how close it was."
Sally and Mortimer looked down.
"Mortimer, you seem hurt by this." Tiny said.
"I am. I mean nobody expects to be on a tribe of Amazons so you don't have to be one but you also have to at least to avoid being looking pathetic." The duck said.
Sally winced at this.
"Sally, what do you think about Prick's outburst?" Tiny said.
"Well, it is very harsh but… more or less on the ball." The braided woman said making tears swell up in Mortimer's eyes.
"Amber, what about you?" Tiny asked.
"On the ball or not, what Prick said was absolutely uncalled for." The collie said sternly. "If we have tantrums every time we lost a Challenge, we would be very unorganized."
"I already told you! We lost it in a horrible way!" Prick insisted.
"Which is the first Challenge we lost save for the first two ones." Amber scolded.
"Now, now." Tiny said. "Bill, how is the vote going to go tonight?"
"Well, no offense but I just want it to be quick and painless to show that they are no hard feelings." The cop said.
Sally and Mortimer did a sigh in unison. Richard looked back and forth between the two.
"All right, it is time to vote." Tiny said. "Prick, you're up."
The construction worker got up and stomped over to the voting table. Grabbing the pen, he took off the cap. "Nothing personal. But ya suck." He said holding up "Mortimer".
Bill walked on looking down not really looking forward to the vote. Despite giving a sad sigh, he wrote down a name and put it in the urn.
Mortimer shakily made his way to the table. He grabbed the pen but his shaky hand was making it a little hard to write. "It is either you or me. Sorry." He said holding up "Amber".
Kao walked over looking just as unhappy as Bill. Like him, he gave a defeated sigh before writing down a name.
Coco put her hands behind her back not looking that interested in the vote tonight. She wasted no time putting her vote in the urn to get the voting over with.
Richard coolly adjusted before making his way to the table. Picking up the pen, he wrote down his vote and put it in the urn without a second thought.
Amber made her way to the voting jumping onto the stool to vote. She then grabbed the pen with her teeth. "Sorry you had to leave this way, dear but you DID cost us the Challenge." She said holding up "Mortimer."
Sally took the longest time to make it to the voting table. Hesitating to take the pen, she slowly grabbed it. "Sorry but it is either you or me. Good luck." She said holding up "Amber".
With that, she ran back with Tiny getting up.
"I'll get the votes."
While some didn't look that concerned, others were nervous.
"I'll read them out."
"First vote, Mortimer."
Mortimer visibly winced while Sally and Kao looked confused.
"Second vote, Mortimer. Two votes, Mortimer."
Sally and Kao went wide-eyed realizing what was going on.
"Third vote, Amber. Two votes, Mortimer. One vote, Amber."
Amber raised an eyebrow.
"Fourth vote, Amber. Two votes, Mortimer. Two votes, Amber."
Amber cast Richard a glance but quickly shrugged it off.
"Fifth vote, Mortimer. Three votes, Mortimer. Two votes, Amber."
The sweat on Mortimer's face was starting to look like a waterfall.
"Sixth vote, Mortimer. Four votes, Mortimer. Two votes, Amber."
Sally and Kao looked horrified knowing they made a big mistake.
"Seventh vote, Amber. Four votes, Mortimer. Three votes, Amber. One vote left."
Amber's pupils shrank.
"Fourth person voted out of Survivor…"
Everyone now looked anxious.
"We have a tie. Between Mortimer and Amber at four votes each."
Amber, Bill, Prick and Coco looked thunderstruck. Richard coolly crossed his arms. Sally and Kao looked at each other ashamed while Mortimer continued to sweat.
"Looks like we have a tiebreaker on our hands." Tiny said as two men rolled a couple of tables over with several buttons on it. "Here is how this tiebreaker is going to work. Both of you will take turns pushing one of twenty buttons. If you push one of the nineteen, your table will flash green. But if you push the sole button, your table will flash red and you will lose the tiebreaker."
"You mean it's luck-based?" Mortimer groaned.
"Yep. Now let's flip a coin. Whoever wins the coin flip gets to move last." Tiny said taking out a coin and flipping it in the air. "Heads or tails. Somebody call it!"
"Tails!" Amber shouted.
Tiny slammed the coin onto his wrist and looked at it.
"It's Tails. Mortimer, you are first." Tiny said.
The movie dome manager took a deep gulp before looking behind him. Richard urged him to go on. With his hands shaking, he pressed a button.
It flashed green.
"Okay, Amber. It is your turn." Tiny said.
Amber slowly nodded before raising her paw. While it was no way as bad as Mortimer, her paw was visibly shaking. Choosing a button, she pushed.
It flashed green.
"Mortimer." Tiny said.
The white feathered duck took another gulp. It was felt he was swallowing a stone. With a shaky finger, he pushed a button.
It flashed green.
"Amber." Tiny said.
Despite looking nervous, the brown and white furred canine slowly put her hand towards a button. She then pressed it.
It flashed red.
"That's a red light." Tiny said. "Mortimer had won the tiebreaker."
Mortimer's eyes widened while Amber looked down. Richard was the only spectator happy with the outcome. The others looked quite upset.
"Which means Amber…" Tiny said.
"I know. I know when I been beat." Amber sighed.
"I am sorry, Amber." Mortimer said.
"It's all right. It was either voting me off or getting voted off yourself." Amber said grabbing the torch with her teeth. She then stepped over to Tiny and planted the torch in front of him.
"Amber, the tribe has spoken." Tiny said putting his snuffer over the torch extinguishing it. "You may now go."
"Can't say I enjoy this but this had better be the best move you can make!" Amber said walking off.
Tiny watched her leave before looking at the others. "We just had our first tiebreaker of the season but it seemed that most of you are stunned by the vote. I hope for your sake this blindside doesn't make anything worse for your tribe. You may head back to camp."
The remaining members of Plata gathered their torches and left Tribal Council. Sally brought up the rear looking horrified. She had thought that she was the one who was the target tonight but no. Instead Mortimer got votes. So that means Sally had voted off someone harmless when she thought she was fending for herself.
"Yeah, being blindsided and then losing in a tiebreaker is not the best thing in the world. I knew that there were some Challenges I may not excel at but to think that I would be blindsided over it." Amber said sadly. "Oh well… Like Kao said, you can't win them all. Hopefully despite my short time in the game, I had avenged the good name of dogs everywhere."
VOTING
Amber: Kao, Mortimer, Richard, Sally.
Mortimer: Amber, Bill, Coco, Prick.
So Amber is the next one out. I'll be honest, just like Margo, she is just a filler character. However, unlike Margo, I wanted to give her a bit of personality seeing that I gave her a story to be on the show. Granted, she only lasted four episodes but let's face it. She still played a better game than Hank.
NOTE: Amber was originally going to be a Golden Retriever but I scrapped that because I already had Dormie. She was also supposed to be a black and white husky but for some reason I had forgotten, I had scrapped that too.