(Plata Tribe)
Everyone went back to camp happy with how the votes went out.
"We had voted out Prick tonight. While I feel bad voting off someone close to us, I can't say he didn't deserve it." Kao sighed. "I mean I knew that he had a deep dislike for Mortimer but to think that he would lie to his own allies to get what he wants."
"Hey, Richie Rich!" Bill called out. "Looks like your brains and brawn duo didn't work that well for you!"
The Russian man snarled. "Don't call me that."
With that, he walked off leaving the others staring at him.
"Well, things went awkwardly at first but tonight went fantastic. We had voted out Prick, Richard's new partner-in-crime AND made him lose his Idol." Bill smirked. "Best of all, we got him to play a FAKE Idol. Meaning that he never had the real one to begin."
"Good work, everyone." The cop grinned. "We voted off Prick and got Richard to waste his Idol."
"But it was a fake though." Sally pointed out.
"It doesn't matter. We still got him to play it." Bill said waving it off.
"Well, what now?" Kao asked.
"Well, Richard has no Idols, real or fake or any allies at the moment." Bill said before turning to Mortimer. "Right?"
"Right? Even after everything that happened, he STILL voted against me." Mortimer sighed. Kao patted a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Well, don't worry but he is all out of tricks." Bill reassured.
"Well, what now?" Sally asked.
"Let's just focus on voting off Richard and leave it at that." Bill shrugged.
Everyone nodded before they went to bad. Mortimer brought up the rear holding a grin.
"Did you see the look on Prick's face when I talked back to him? It was absolutely priceless! Best of all, I had managed to get him out AND keep Richard and his Idol!" Mortimer grinned. "Thanks to that fake Idol Richard played, nobody suspects that he has the real Idol."
(Day 19; Aurum Tribe)
"How could you do such a thing!?"
Janet and Oscar winced as Andrew merely crossed his arms. Catherine glared daggers at the two as Ronald walked up behind her looking just as furious.
"Last night, Cassie had gone home. Despite it should at least be a tiebreaker. I don't know what in Hades happened but Catherine and I are going than willing to find out!" Ronald said crossing his arms.
"Oscar, you said that you would vote off Andrew and yet not only sided with him but you voted out Cassie as well?" Catherine demanded. "Why?"
"Um, well…" The muscleman said poking his fingers together.
"You are STALLING!" Catherine shrieked.
"The main reason we voted out Cassie is… because she literally asked for it. She just came to us and told us to vote her out." Oscar sighed. "Must have broken down from all of the fighting. Worst of all, she made us promise not to tell her allies which make things even more worse for me and Catherine."
"Oscar, you call yourself a man and yet you won't look at me in the face to admit that you lied to it earlier?" Catherine asked in exasperation.
"As much as I am just as upset about Cassie leaving, I got another issue that needs addressing." Ronald said stepping forward. "Why did Cassie voted for Oscar?"
"Hey, yeah! Why?" Catherine said crossing her arms.
Janet and Oscar looked at each other not sure how to respond.
"How should we know? We don't control how that kid works." Janet said.
"That's BULL! You didn't want to go into a tiebreaker so you did what Barry did last season and trick Cassie into voting for Oscar!" Catherine snapped. "Am I right?"
"Dun… Dun… Dun…" Oscar started in a desperate attempt to say something.
"Dun, dun, dumb? Yeah, you are." Catherine said crossing her arms. "Andrew, you claimed to be a good father but what you did contradict that statement."
Andrew's eyes widened. "What did you say?"
"You heard me!" Catherine snapped. "The "warm" and "caring" father took advantage of a little girl's naiveté and voted her out! A little girl, Andrew!"
The brown-haired man narrowed his eyes with his eyebrow started to twitch.
"She just couldn't make it easy. She just HAD to turn the conversation into a full-frontal war. Well, I am sick and tired just playing the "Voice of reason." Andrew snarled. "I am going to show that brat and rat exactly what I had thought about them for the former's comment!"
"Don't you dare talk that way about my father skills, you inconsiderate brat!" The archaeologist snapped.
"After what you did to Cassie, I believe Catherine has more than enough reason." Ronald said flatly.
"Oh, because we "lied" to her, that gives you two the right to be so high-and-mighty?" Andrew asked. "Well, it doesn't seeing because that is not even why Cassie went home."
Janet and Oscar's eyes bugged out as Catherine and Ronald looked confused.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Catherine asked.
"What are you doing?" Janet said through gritted teeth.
"You really know we voted out Cassie? Because she asked for it." Andrew said. "And not because she deserved it but because she wanted to QUIT."
Catherine's eyes widened at this.
"That's right. Cassie came to Janet and Oscar earlier and asked if they could vote for her." Andrew said shaking his head. "I am not surprised with the hard amount of stress you had been putting the poor girl through."
Catherine stood in her place stunned for a moment before pausing.
"That's a lie! I don't believe you!" Catherine roared.
"Why? Because you realize how unlikable you truly are?" Andrew asked crossing his arms.
"Hey, quit it!" Oscar snapped.
"Say the guy who had lied to his so-called crush in their face." Andrew said flatly.
Oscar winced before stepping back and looking down.
"Andrew!" Janet said.
"Cassie was fed up, all right? She was getting sick and tired out of all the needless fighting over every little thing." Andrew said. "Starting an argument after we WON a Challenge. Treating a grade-school prank like it is murder."
Catherine shook her head. "S-Shut up!"
"What? Can't handle the truth!" Andrew said crossing his arms. "Well, face reality, kiddo. Cassie is gone because of you!"
"I said shut up!" Catherine roared. "Or not! You know what? I don't care anymore! Just… Just do what you want, okay?"
With that, she began to storm off.
"Cathy, wait!" Oscar called out.
The young woman immediately whirled around furiously. "Don't you DARE call me by a name of endearment! You knew that Cassie was going to quit and yet you let me in the dark about it! How could I, heck ANYONE trust you with anything!"
Oscar looked like someone had stabbed him in the heart. Catherine then turned around and stormed off.
"Stupid, stupid, everything is just freaking stupid… I knew that Cassie said that she was getting fed up with all of the fighting but to think that she would quit…" Catherine said wiping away her tears. "Why didn't she tell me? Furthermore, why didn't Oscar, someone who had going out of their way to impress me lie to my way."
Ronald glared at Andrew before following Catherine.
Janet glared at Andrew. "Andrew, this is EXACTLY why Cassie made us promise not to tell them."
The father returned the glare before taking a deep breath and sighing.
"I had it with that girl and her rat, Janet." Andrew said. "She just rubs me the wrong way and when she started to act all high-and-mighty, I just couldn't resist rubbing in the dirt of how much of a hypocrite she was."
With that, he walked off with Janet watching him leave.
"Well, NOW what are we going to do…?" Janet started turning to Oscar for support.
Only to find Oscar was sulking off sadly. Janet paused before looking down with a sigh.
"Good work, Janet. Nobody is thinking of voting you out." Janet said sitting down on a log. "The tribe is in shambles and at least two people are emotionally scarred but at least nobody is going to write your name down."
(Plata Tribe)
Richard stood against a tree crossing his arms. Suddenly, Mortimer came in looking pleased.
"Did you see me last night?" Mortimer beamed.
"I did and I am more than impressed." Richard smiled. "I am quite proud to see you stand up to Prick."
"Trust me. It was very rewarding in itself to do so." Mortimer said giving a sigh of relief. "Especially when he called me out in front of everyone like that."
"I am glad to see that Mortimer is finally standing up for himself. Prick may be stronger than him but he can't do anything to him physical-wise so there was no reason to let Mortimer walk over him." Richard said before holding up an Idol. "Not only that, he gave a great way to keep my Idol."
"That was a great Tribal Council." The Russian man smirked. "We not only kept the both of us but I get to keep my Idol."
"Indeed, the others think you had wasted it." Mortimer said.
"ESPECIALLY Bill." Richard said rolling his eyes. "He just felt it was necessary to rub it in my face."
"Well, it doesn't matter because the only person who knows you still have the real Idol is you and me." Mortimer said.
"Indeed." Richard said. "Incidentally, what is he planning as we speak?"
Mortimer merely shrugged. "Nothing yet. They think you are a sitting duck at the moment."
Richard gave a smirk. "Perfect. That means nobody would expect my bishop until it is too late."
"We mustn't be cocky." Mortimer said. "Even if you use the Idol on yourself, they would still go after you."
"I know that. That is why I am thinking of a way to use my Idol as late as possible." Richard said.
"Right. Anyway, I think I should go now, we don't want to spread around suspicion." Mortimer explained.
"Agreed." Richard said. "You can come see me when you hear something interesting."
"As of right now, I am Richard's only ally. Everyone just dislikes him and at least have polite indifference towards him." Mortimer explained. "That is why Richard cast a hinky vote against me. Because I want everyone to think that we are not friends at the moment. Not something I am proud of but as of right now, we need to talk when they are going to vote off Richard and how."
With that, the duck said his farewells to Richard for now and made sure back to camp where the others were talking.
"Hey, Mortimer. Where have you been?" Kao greeted.
"Just for a walk." The middle-aged man said trying to keep a straight face.
(Day 20; Aurum Tribe)
Things were eerily quiet at the Aurum tribe. Mainly due to the tribe not wanting to do anything with each other at the moment.
Catherine slowly combed the back of Ronald's fur in a vain attempt to try to get the pink stuff off of her fur. She had a solemn look on her face the whole time.
Oscar looked from afar at the fire pit with a sad look on his face. With a deep sigh, he looked down disappointed in himself.
Suddenly, he snarled. Turning his head to glare straight into the entrance of the shelter where Andrew was lying down. Suddenly, the father had noticed Oscar giving him the evil eye.
"What?" Andrew asked.
"Don't you what me?" Oscar snapped. "You know exactly what?"
"No. What?" Andrew asked in annoyance.
Oscar's eyebrow twitched. "You are doing it on purpose, aren't you?"
"Doing what on purpose?" Andrew asked.
"Doing what on purpose of course!" Oscar snapped.
"What!?"
"What what! That's what!"
"Guys, shut up… You are giving me a freaking headache." Ronald muttered.
"He started it!" Andrew said pointing at Oscar.
"No, I didn't. Because you don't know what I am yelling about." The whale snapped.
"FINALLY we are getting somewhere!" Andrew said.
Suddenly, Janet walked in. "Okay. Now I think you guys are fighting just for the sake for fighting."
"Might as well change our tribe name from Aurum to Costa De New Jersey. Seriously, there are only certain duos that can be around each other WITHOUT casting a death glare." Janet said shaking her head. "A part of me is hoping for a late merge because at the state this tribe is at, Plata will absolutely DESTROY us when we merge."
"Look, can we at least listen to what this letter says WITHOUT getting into a fight?" The woman pleaded while holding up a letter.
Everyone stared at each other before scoffing and looking the other way.
"Okay… I take that as a maybe." Janet said before sighing and reading the letter. "How well do you know the OTHER tribe?"
"Uh-oh. I seen those types of Challenges before." Catherine muttered.
"I don't really mind." Ronald said crossing his arms. "Because as of right now, I want to know the other tribe a lot of you."
"Feeling mutual, rat." Andrew spat.
Janet just groaned.
"Out of all different types of Challenges, this type of Challenge is the one I needed most right now because it wants us to find out about the other tribe." Catherine grumbled. "How can we find out about the other tribe if our OWN tribe want to see each other die in a fire?"
(Reward Challenge)
Seeing that both tribes had went to Tribal Council, they both went to their mats at the same time.
"We now bring in both Aurum and Plata." Tiny said. "Cassie voted off by Aurum and Prick voted off by Plata."
"It was probably only a matter of time." Richard shrugged.
"They got rid of Prick?" Oscar asked in surprise.
"Considering how he was acting at the Tribal Council, I am not surprised." Janet said shaking her head.
"We'll now go into our next Challenge." Tiny said pointing to two tables. "I will take turns asking you different questions about the other tribe and you have to figure out which person that is. If you get it right, you can eliminate one person from the other tribe but if you get it wrong, you have to eliminate one of your own. Whoever eliminates all of the members of the other tribe wins Reward. Want to know what you are playing for?"
Everyone nodded.
"A nice trip on a boat exploring a river." Tiny said. "Now Plata has one extra member, who is sitting out?"
"I will." Kao said.
"All right. Kao, stand by me." Tiny said. "The rest of you, get ready."
(Later)
"All right. Plata had won the coin toss and they chose answer the first question." Tiny said. "Who's on Aurum lives in a giant dumbbell?"
Richard blinked twice in confusion. "A dumbbell? Who in the world lives is absurd enough to live in a dumbbell?"
Coco suddenly brightened up. "I know! That Oscar guy!"
"Are you sure?" Sally asked.
"Of course! He comes from a cartoon where the main cast lives in a pineapple, under a rock and even one of those things from Easter Island." Coco said.
"Well, it settled." Bill nodded. "We choose Oscar."
"That is correct." Tiny said. "You may eliminate someone from the other tribe."
"We pick Janet." Bill said.
The mercenary looked back and forth between her tribe before frowning. "Uh-oh."
"Next question for Aurum." Tiny said. "Who on Plata is close to the marines?"
"Marines? It is that Coco kid." Ronald said.
"Yeah. The marines are more or less the police force of that node." Catherine said. "We choose Bill."
"And you chose right." Tiny said. "Who are you eliminating?"
"Richard." Oscar said.
The dark-haired man snarled before walking off.
"Next question for Plata. Who on Aurum has a liking in art?" Tiny asked.
Sally's face fell. "Oh snap!"
"How about Ronald? He seems like the type to be into art." Bill said.
"But what about Andrew? He is an archaeologist and that requires a good eye for art." Mortimer suggested.
"Hmm… I guess that could work…" Bill mused. "We should Andrew."
"Wrong. The correct answer is Cassie." Tiny said.
"Cassie?" Bill asked before narrowing his eyes. "No fair! You didn't say anything about previous eliminated people."
Tiny merely shrugged. "I thought it was obvious. Anyway, seeing that you got it wrong, you have to eliminate one of your own."
Sally shook her head before walking off. "I'm out."
"Next question for Aurum." Tiny said. "Who on Plata died three times?"
This startled most of the cast.
"Is that even possible?" Andrew asked in disbelief. "Dying THREE times?"
"How about Richard? He IS from Darkstalkers." Oscar said. "Maybe he is really a zombie, ghost or vampire who had been resurrected three times."
"Does he look ANYTHING like any of those things?" Catherine cried in disbelief.
"I think it is Amber." Ronald said. "She is from All Dogs Go to Heaven which stars an angel dog."
"How does THAT cause her to die three times?" Andrew asked.
"I don't know. Maybe she went to Earth after turning into an angel and got unlucky." Ronald snapped.
"That's a stupid answer!" Andrew snapped.
"At least it is an answer!" Catherine said before turning to the others. "We pick Amber."
"Wrong. The correct answer is Bill." Tiny said.
Andrew rolled his eyes. "Ronald is wrong. Shocker, shocker."
"At least I am able to say something!" The rat snapped.
"I said something too." Oscar whined.
"Who cares? Your suggestion was beyond moronic." Catherine snapped. "In fact, just for that, we are eliminating you. Hit the bench, loser!"
Oscar winced at this before stalking off. Meanwhile, Mortimer and Coco cast Bill strange looks.
"Um, Bill? Is there something you want to tell us?" Mortimer gulped.
The bearded man merely sighed. "It's a long story."
"Next question for Plata." Tiny said. "Who's on Aurum has a passion for music?"
"Music? Do you think it is that Cassie girl again?" Mortimer asked. "She IS from Madeline, a cartoon where the cast sings a lot."
"But the same could be said for Oscar and his node." Bill said. "And I don't see Janet and Andrew being into music. Ah, I know!"
"Really?" Coco asked.
"Ronald!" Bill grinned.
"Ronald? The scary old rat?" Coco asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, he is from Classic Disney." Bill said.
"But Ronald doesn't look like a music enthusiast." Mortimer said.
"Well, Cassie and Oscar had already been done so it is worth a shot." Bill shrugged. "We'll pick Ronald."
"Correct! It is Ronald." Tiny said. "You may now eliminate someone from Aurum."
"Ronald." Bill said proud of himself.
The rat snarled before stomping off.
"Next question for Aurum." Tiny said. "Who on Plata only get to be a fighter through special needs?"
"Hmm… I think that it is that Sally girl." Andrew said.
"No way! It is that scientist!" Catherine said. "Does he LOOK like a fighter?"
"Well, either does that Sally?" Andrew asked. "She looks more like she is going to mend a car!"
"I think it is Richard!" Catherine said narrowing her eyes.
"Well, I say it is Sally." Andrew said as the two glare daggers at each other.
"Well, it is too bad." Catherine said before turning to the front. "We choose Richard!"
"What!?" Andrew screamed in disbelief.
"Sorry, that is wrong." Tiny said.
"OH MY GOSH! I knew we were heading for disaster when you and I are the last ones up!" Andrew snapped. "If we just went with Sally like I asked…"
"It isn't Sally, instead." Tiny said scratching his head. "It is Nina."
"WHAT!?" Andrew cried in disbelief.
"Ha. Smarty-pants!" Catherine said sticking out her tongue.
Andrew growled. "All right, YOU'RE so smart! YOU bring us to victory!"
"All right, fine!" Catherine snapped.
"Fine!" Andrew said storming off.
Tiny blinked twice before speaking the next question. "All right. If Plata gets this question right, they win the game."
The three nodded.
"Who on Aurum has a vehicle named Streakster?" Tiny asked.
Mortimer's eyes widened at this. "I… I don't know who that could be."
"Hmm… Vehicle." Bill mused. "Vehicle. It is either a tank for Janet or a motorcycle for Max."
Coco paused. "Who names a tank?"
"Hmm… It is not out of the question but…" Bill said. "We choose Max."
"And you are correct." Tiny said. "PLATA WINS REWARD!"
Everyone on Plata cheered as Catherine angrily slammed her fist.
(Later)
"Congratulations, Plata. You had won Reward and will go on a next riverboat trip." Tiny said. "You also have the choice to send someone to Exile Island."
"Hmm… Whoever is going to find it…" Bill said. "We'll pick Ronald."
The rat looked surprisingly pleased as he nodded.
"Ronald, you will go to Exile Island will be have a chance to search for the Idol." Tiny said. "As for you, Aurum. I got nothing for you. You may head back to camp."
(Riverboat Ride)
The six Plata members got on the boat ride for winning their Reward. They looked in awe at all of the scenery they were passing.
"Wow… This is beautiful." Kao said in awe.
Sally raised an eyebrow. "But aren't you from Isle Delfino?"
Kao merely shrugged. "Yeah but I don't think we have riverboat rides through a jungle."
"The riverboat ride was nothing like we have in Isle Delfino. I mean we have a rollercoaster, a casino and quite a few Yoshis but no classic riverboat." Kao said with an unseen smile. "It is quite refreshing that to do something that you expect to see in a place like my node but don't have it."
The six had decided to split up. Richard had gone to the bar while Kao, Mortimer and Coco went to explore the boat. Sally laid against a railing overseeing the passing jungle. Bill had walked up to her.
"Hey, Sal." Bill grinned. "Enjoying the view?"
"Oh, yeah." The blonde woman said. "I had never seen anything like this before."
Bill raised an eyebrow. "But aren't you a Street Fighter? Don't you travel the world?"
"Yeah, just to fight." Sally said. "I never really stopped to smell the roses."
"I see." Bill said. "So how are you feeling?"
Sally raised an eyebrow. "Um, fine. Why?"
"Oh, I am just concerned about you since these last few days." Bill said. "You seemed very upset."
Sally sighed before looking down. "Man, did I do."
"I felt sorry for Sally, being tricked because she felt like the weakest player. She seemed to be doing so much better now but I just wanted to make sure." Bill said. "After all, she was pretty crushed when she realized that she had sent Amber home."
"Well, like I said before. It wasn't your fault." Bill said. "It was Richard's."
Sally shook her head. "It doesn't matter who's the main problem. I had played a big part of it."
"Because he tricked you." Bill said.
"That is not why I am blaming myself." Sally sighed. "Richard tricked me… Because he saw me in my lowest state."
"That still doesn't give him the right to do so." Bill offered.
"But if I had just rally to save me instead of sitting around moping, Amber would probably still be here!" Sally insisted. "Instead, I just sit back and allow myself to listen to Richard."
Bill merely sighed. "Don't worry. He is gone next regardless."
"I know but still… That was careless of me." Sally said.
Bill paused for a moment before sighing. "What are you fighting for?"
Sally turned her head in confusion. "Huh?"
"What are you fighting for?" Bill asked turning towards the blonde. "You know. What is your motive?"
Sally paused for a moment. "Honestly… I have no motive. The closest thing I have is to pay the rent."
"And THAT'S why you are so unconfident." Bill said.
"Huh?" Sally asked.
"You have nothing to fight for." Bill said. "Without a goal, you cannot succeed."
"It's not like I fight just to bust people's skulls in!" Sally snapped.
"I know it. You have to find a way to pay the bills." Bill said. "But still, you need something to fight. Something that you KNOW that failure isn't an option."
Sally paused before looking to the side of the boat. "You really think so?"
"I know so! That is why I am a cop!" Bill grinned.
Sally paused before slowing nodded.
"Something to fight for? Honestly, I had never thought that much because I had just been fighting to get through life." Sally paused. "Bill DOES have a point… Ryu fights for the experience and thrill, Chun-Li fights to avenge her father. Even El Fuerte fights to improve his cooking and trust me, he seriously needs it."
(Aurum Tribe)
"We lost the Challenge today. But you know what? Plata can keep their riverboat ride because they sent Ronald to Exile Island." Catherine said hugging her knees. "Which is great because we need that Idol more than enough. Honestly, the only person I could fully trust is Ronald."
Janet and Oscar were talking to each other. Suddenly, Andrew walked up to them.
"All right, guys. I am here like you asked me to come." Andrew said rolling his eyes. "Let the scolding commence."
"I beg your pardon?" Janet asked blinking twice.
"Don't play dumb." Andrew said. "I had been summoned so I could be told that my treatment of Catherine is "wrong."
"You darn right, it is!" Oscar roared. "That is no way to speak to a lady!"
Andrew let out a mirthless lady. "If she is a lady then I am a rutabaga!"
"I turn you into root beer if you don't cut it out!" Oscar roared clenching a fist.
"Turn me into…" Andrew started. "A rutabaga isn't in ANY kind of list of ingredients for root beer, you moron!"
"Enough! Both of you!" Janet yelled. "Oscar, that is NOT why we called Andrew here.
Oscar crossed his arms with a scoff. "Still didn't like his attitude."
Janet shook her head. "Anyway, Ronald had gone to Exile Island."
Andrew slapped his forehead. "Ugh, don't remind me! With all of the clues so far, he may find it easily if that Richard guy didn't found it first!"
"Or Catherine." Janet said solemnly.
"Catherine had gone to Exile Island on the third visit and Ronald is now there on the fifth one. Which means if Richard already doesn't have the Idol, one of them may have it." Janet frowned. "Which makes them the most dangerous people right now."
"Wanna continue our little alliance before?" The mercenary said. "You know, to get out…"
"YES!" Andrew said with a big grin startling Janet and Oscar.
"Sheesh! Don't take so much time thinking it over!" Janet winced.
"So how are we going to do this?" Andrew asked.
"Um, well… Seeing that we have no way of knowing who will play the Idol, we have to divide the votes." Janet explained.
"How?" Andrew asked. "If they play the Idol on the person who gets two votes, one of us will still go."
"Dang. You are right." Janet frowned. "We have to convince them somehow that we are voting for one of them when we are really targeting the other."
Andrew paused before speaking up. "Just say I had been ranting about wanting Ronald out all day. They buy it and waste no time having Ronald use the Idol."
Janet rolled her eyes. "I agree."
Oscar bit his lip. "I don't know, guys. I am already in deep water with Catherine as it is."
"So? You already dug a grave too big to climb out of." Andrew said flatly. "No place to go but down."
"Andrew!" Janet snapped as Oscar growled.
"What? It is the truth!" The father shrugged. "He had gone way too far to go back now."
"Well, at least she is still here and I had a chance to speak with her, unlike with Max, Margo and Queenmon!" Oscar snarled.
"Oscar!" Janet roared.
"Oh-ho-ho! I just KNOW you did NOT just say that to me!" Andrew said.
"So what if I did?" Oscar asked.
"Oh for the love of tanks, shut up! Both of you!" Janet snapped. "Look, we have to get rid of one of them but we can't do that if you two are going at each other throats like lions!"
Oscar and Andrew glared at each other before looking away muttering under their breaths.
"Honestly, I don't mind that Catherine will leave over Ronald because in my honest opinion, she had become just as bad as him. Maybe even worse." Andrew said holding his ears. "I knew that Oscar wasn't the brightest bulb in the box but to go so far to defend that… lack of better word, BANSHEE. Plus, we would get rid of their Idol."
(Exile Island)
Ronald wasted no time getting off the boat and making his way towards the Island looking around.
"FINALLY! Some quiet time!" Ronald said in relief. "No Andrew glaring daggers at me! No Oscar trying in vain to get on Catherine's side!"
"Our tribe had officially become a trainwreck. Normally, this should be all right for me but most of the trainwreck revolves around ME." Ronald said rolling his eyes. "Andrew is out for my blood. Oscar is a wishy-washy waste of space. And all Janet does is shout at them to stop with listen success. There is no two cents around it. I NEED that Idol."
"As much as I like to relax, I have to look for that Idol." The rat said walking over to the sign and reading it. "Hmm… I know that this is the fifth visit but it also seems like they are BEGGING for me to find it."
He then smirked before walking off.
"Well, can't disappoint them, can we?"
"When I find the Idol, I will use it that Andrew out of here. He had been a thorn in my side since Day 4 and the only reason I haven't gotten him out yet because I was too worried about staying alive." Ronald said with a growl. "And for some reason, ever since yesterday, I had hated him more than ever. I don't know why drives the hatred but maybe it is being with him for too long."
Ronald started to dig in the spot where he believed the Idol should be using all fours. He continued digging for the spot. However, he found that he could not find it.
"How can this be?" Ronald said in disbelief. "The clues practically point to this spot."
He then stopped and sat up.
"Unless somebody already has it." The pink-furred rodent frowned. "But who? Catherine would had told me if she found it, I don't think Kao could find it on the first visit and anyone who even suggests Oscar deserves to have their intelligence question."
He the snarled as he crossed his arms. Looking around, he took a deep breath.
"Why does it always rain on me? Is it because I lied when I was seventeen?" Ronald sang. "Why does it always rain on me? Even when the sun is shining, I can't avoid the lightning."
"Typical. Just. Freaking. Typical. We need that Idol more than ever but someone just HAD to find it first." Ronald snarled. "Worse of all, I think the others will believe I may have the Idol meaning they would definitely target me."
(Day 21; Riverboat Ride)
Everyone had slept in the beds made for them sleeping peacefully. However, Coco slowly opened one eye. Looking around, she made sure everyone was sound asleep. Getting off her bed, she tiptoed towards the door.
When she was there, she slowly opened it and closed it behind her. With a smirk, she tiptoed off. When she made sure that she was out of hearing range to wake them up, she started to run with a grin on her face.
Soon, she had reached her destination. The bar. With a grin, she ran over to the bartender and climbed up onto the stool.
"Why, hello there, little lady." The bartender said with a grin. "What can I do for you?"
"A beer, please." Coco said cheerfully.
The bartender's grin vanished. "…What?"
"Ugh, I am so sick of coconut milk and water! I want a proper drink! I am thirsty beyond belief for a beer!" Coco said before pausing. She then put her hands on her hips. "What? I am a pirate. Well, a daughter of one anyway and on the sea, there are no drinking laws."
"You heard me. A beer." The dark-haired girl said.
The bartender said blinking his eyes. "Um, how old are you, sport?"
Coco narrowed her eyes. "Oh no. I know where THIS is going. Lookie here, bub. I am a pirate and I am from a world that doesn't have drinking laws so I have the right to a beer."
"That may be so, kid but you are not into your node." The bartender said. "You are in a node with drinking laws."
Coco slammed her fist on the table. "Don't you patronise me! I can handle it!"
The bartender stepped back. "What happened to the sweet little girl that came in here?"
"Buddy, that is to fool people." Coco said flatly. "Being nice doesn't get you far in life."
She then smirked.
"Speaking of which, how about a deal?" Coco asked. "You give me a beer. And you can sleep with me for a bit."
The bartender's pupils shrank before he stepped back. Staring in awe for a moment, he gave a creepy grin.
"Oh, why not?" The bartender smirked before turning around.
Coco squealed happily before clapping her hands together in joy. The bartender then gave Coco a giant drink in a beer mug. Coco yelled happily before turning around to make sure that nobody was coming in. With a smirk, she grabbed the mug with both hands and had a big gulp.
Suddenly, her eyes widened in shock. Putting the mug down with foam all over her mouth, she licked her lips.
"This can't be beer. It is way too swee…" Coco said before narrowing her eyes in realization. "Hey, this is ROOT beer!"
The bartender gave a carefree shrug. "Same diff."
"There's a BIG diff!" Coco roared.
"Now, now. We had a deal. I gave you some beer so we have to have a… SLUMBER PARTY!" The bartender grinned.
Coco growled. "Smug little extra!"
"See, Bill? She was right here the whole time!"
Coco jumped in her seat. Turning around, she saw the rest of the tribe walking down.
"Oh, thank goodness." Bill said sighing in relief. "Don't scare us like that!"
"Calm down, Bill. She was just getting a drink." Sally said.
"Um, right…" Coco said with a nervous giggle. She then noticed Bill holding a letter. "Oh, is it time for our next Challenge."
"Not yet. We still have until the end of the trip to go there." Bill said.
"Just enough time to bond with the man you seemed to be talking with." Kao smiled.
Coco chuckled nervously before glaring at the bartender who merely smirked.
"What does it say, anyway?" Richard asked.
"It says can you trust your tribe members?" Bill read.
At this point, everyone stared at Richard. The Russian man paused before crossing his arms.
"Very well. I will sit out." Richard spat. "I know when I am not wanted."
"You are still here so apparently you don't…" Bill muttered.
"The goal of the next Challenge is apparently about trust. Not that I have a problem because I am okay with working with most of the cast." Sally said before frowning. "Except Richard. Hopefully if he does have to play, he doesn't have too much because I am still bitter and I think the feeling is starting to get mutual."
(Immunity Challenge)
The two tribes made their way onto their mat.
"We now bring in Ronald from Exile." Tiny said as the pink rat walked in.
Ronald joined his tribe not without casting the other tribe a death glare for some reason.
"All right. Let's get to your next Immunity Challenge." Tiny said. "Everyone, take a look."
Everyone looked to see two giant sphere cages. They also saw a fence maze. Most of the cast groaned remembering the bruises they got from the hand-cuff Challenge.
"Here is your next Challenge. One person would be strapped inside the sphere while the rest of the tribe will be blindfolded. The person in the sphere has to direct the person inside of the sphere to the end of the maze." Tiny said. "First person to get their sphere to the end wins Immunity."
Everyone looked at each other with mixed reactions.
"Now Plata, you have one extra member." Tiny said. "Who are you sitting out?"
"We are sitting out Mortimer." Bill said.
"All right, Mortimer. Take a seat next to me." Tiny said. "As for the rest of you, I give you a minute to strategize."
(Later)
They didn't take long to choose who gets to ride the sphere. Coco for Plata and Janet for Aurum.
"All right, for Immunity." Tiny said. "Survivors, ready. GO!"
"Go straight, guys!" Janet said.
"All the way, everyone!" Coco said.
Both tribes nodded before pushing their respective spheres. Due to having more muscle, the Plata tribe were pulling ahead.
"Okay, guys. Slow down a bit." Coco said. "We are entering the fence maze."
"Okay, kid." Bill said.
"Guys, slow down for a bit." Janet said. "We are going in."
"Fine…" Catherine said.
"Okay, Catherine, Ronald, move backwards." Janet instructed bringing the ball over. "Oscar, Andrew. Push forward."
Everyone nodded as they did what they were told. Tiny and Mortimer watched as the two tribes continued to play.
"Who do you think will win?" Tiny asked.
"I think our team will win. Or at least that is what I hope." Mortimer said. "Then again, we have more muscle pushing the sphere AND the person inside is lighter."
"Yeah but Janet is a trained mercenary so she should have no trouble with directions." Tiny said.
Mortimer looked at Aurum's sphere. "Judging from the way Aurum been acting recently, they need much more than direction to win."
The two tribes continued to navigate their spheres through the maze.
"All right. We are almost there, guys." Coco said. "Just make a turn around this corner."
"Got it." Sally said.
Oscar saw this and frowned. "Dang it! We are behind!"
"There is nothing we can do about it." Janet said. "We just need to bring up the pace."
"Don't have to tell ME twice!" Oscar said rolling the ball forward.
"NO, Oscar!" Janet roared. "Catherine and Ronald…"
That was all she got up before Catherine was crushed between the fence and the sphere.
"And right between a fence." Janet said flatly.
Oscar winced not liking the sound of that. "Um, oops?"
"Just what the heck is wrong with you!?" Catherine roared.
"S-Sorry!" Oscar apologized.
"Oscar, shut up!" Ronald snapped. "You had apologized so much that they have no more meaning anymore!"
"Get this thing off of me!" Catherine roared.
"I am trying! I am trying!" Oscar said.
"Okay, Oscar! Gently pull the sphere opposite of my voice." Janet said.
"All right…" The whale said pulling it back.
However, he accidentally stepped on Andrew's foot.
"YOW!" Andrew yelped before hopping up and down holding his foot. "What do you think for breakfast? Cement!"
"Um, well…" Oscar started.
"Guys! Please!" Janet pleaded. "For ONCE in this stupid game, could you put aside the childish fight…"
"PLATA WINS IMMUNITY!"
"What!?" Everyone on Aurum explained.
Indeed, Plata had brought their sphere over the finish. They celebrated as they released Coco. Aurum looked absolutely exasperated.
(Later)
"Congratulations, Plata! For the fourth time in a way, you had won Immunity making you safe from Tribal Council." Tiny smiled.
He then turned to Aurum.
"As for the rest of you, Aurum. I got nothing for you but a date with Tribal Council. You may head back to camp."
(Aurum Tribe)
"Ugh! Why is this happening!? Why are we losing so badly!? I mean the other tribe has a little girl, a nerd and a duck who looks like he is afraid of his own shadow!" Oscar growled. "To say that this is taking a negative toll of our morale is an understatement!"
Ronald and Catherine were talking to each other.
"For the love of all that pure, PLEASE tell me that you found the Idol." Catherine pleaded.
Ronald sighed before shaking her head. Catherine's eyes widened in horror.
"Oh no! How are we going to survive the vote?" Catherine asked.
"Don't worry. We just need to convince either Janet and Oscar to vote off Andrew." Ronald reassured.
"Are you crazy!? There is no way I am trusting those two to get rid of that pest!" Catherine said holding her hair in despair. "Not after they kept us in the dark about Cassie's quit!"
Ronald narrowed his eyes. "Indeed, I can trust those guys as far as I can throw them but as much as I hate to admit it, we need to convince them somehow to keep us."
"How?" Catherine asked. "I thought I could trust Oscar but he betrayed me! Even if we plead our case, how can we make sure they won't even take our suggestions to heart?"
Ronald bit his lip at this.
"As much as I hate to admit but Catherine is right. I may be the last person to criticize someone for being untrustworthy but Catherine is literally the only one I can turn my back on." Ronald mused. "I can take the others' tales with a grain of salt."
Meanwhile, Andrew, Janet and Oscar were talking.
"All right. Here is the plan." Andrew said. "I am going to pick a fight with Ronald and convince him that he is the target. Then, we'll vote for Catherine."
Janet nodded. "More or less seems sound."
Oscar frowned. "Does it have to be Catherine?"
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, HEY!" Andrew snapped. "We need to flush out that idol and Ronald is the more likely one to play it!"
"So why are we taking it out on Catherine?" Oscar asked.
Andrew paused. "Because she is Ronald's biggest ally!"
"Oscar needs a reality check. Catherine had never loved nor ever will love him. And frankly, he is wasting his time." Andrew said. "I could name at least twenty girls from memory that are more likable than Catherine."
"Look, you BETTER not wimp out on us because I am not going home by an Idol because of a hopeless romantic." The father snapped.
"Hey!" Oscar roared.
Andrew then stormed off with the two glaring at him.
"It's official. I hate him with every bone in my body." Oscar growled.
"He HAS been acting insufferable the last couple of days." Janet frowned crossing her arms.
"Do we HAVE to vote off Catherine?" Oscar whined.
"Sorry, Oscar but Andrew is right." Janet shrugged. "We need to flush out that Idol."
"Then, what? Then, we have to deal with a vengeful Ronald at the merge!" Oscar said.
Janet was about to reply until she froze.
"Oh, right! I had forgotten all about the merge!" The mercenary said with wide eyes.
"Yeah, and if we make the merge, then Ronald would more than likely to betray us for sure." Oscar said.
Janet paused crossing her arms. "Hmm… Honestly, though. I am not really looking forward to the merge at all."
Suddenly, her eyes widened.
"Wait a minute!" Janet said.
"What? What is it?" Oscar asked.
"After this Tribal Council, there will be ten people left in the game. Which means the merge has to be very soon." Janet said. "It leaves us with the question on who do you want to take with you knowing that you can more or less trust them."
(Tribal Council)
The five remaining Aurum members had gone to Tribal Council with their torches. Tiny was waiting for them.
"Welcome, Aurum." Tiny said. "Take a seat."
Everyone obliged.
"Okay, first off. What the heck happened?" Tiny asked. "Catherine, do you know?"
"More or less." The teenager said looking to the side. "Cassie quit the game."
Tiny's eyes widened at this. "What!?"
"You heard me!" Catherine roared. "She walked up to Janet, Oscar and Andrew asked them to vote her out without even telling me or Ronald!"
"That's because you are the problem." Andrew said without turning his head.
"EXCUSE ME!? You were the one who kept picking fights with us!" Catherine roared.
"ME? You were the one who get butthurt over every little thing!" Andrew snapped.
"Ugh! To think that you actual reproduced!" Catherine said in disgust.
"Enough!" Tiny shouted. "Oscar, is it true that she quit?"
"Yes…" The whale frowned. "She literally asked for it so we had no choice but to do so."
"And why didn't you tell me?" Catherine asked indignantly.
Oscar's pupils shrank. "Um, well… I…"
"You had been doing but trying to gain my respect." Catherine snapped. "How could I respect you kept something like that from me?"
"No, you don't understand!" Oscar said.
"No, YOU don't understand!" Catherine roared.
"Good grief. You guys make Mano looks like a bunch of girl scouts." Tiny groaned. "Janet, stupid question, did Cassie's quit affect the tribe?"
"Boy, did it ever." The woman groaned rolling her eyes. "This made Catherine and Ronald furious at the tribe which resulted in Catherine insulting Andrew's role as a father. Also, Oscar is mad at Andrew because Cassie quitting was supposed to be a secret."
"That was Catherine's fault!" Andrew insisted. "She insulted me so I have to join her unlikable she really was!"
"That still doesn't give the right to tell her!" Oscar snapped.
"Why? So I wouldn't make YOUR girlfriend angry?" Andrew asked.
"GIRLFRIEND!?" Catherine roared. "Are you purposely trying to get me kicked out for killing somebody well, it is WORKING!"
"Forget it, Catherine. These guys give Donald Duck a run for their money in terms of stubbornness." Ronald said rolling his eyes.
"Okay, Ronald. How is the vote going to go?" Tiny asked hoping to get to the voting as quickly as possible.
"I just want it to be over with." The rat grumbled. For once, he got an unanimous agreement.
"Finally, EVERYONE could agree on." Tiny said rolling his eyes. "It is time to vote. Catherine, you are up."
The pink-haired girl wasted no time getting up from her seat and practically sprinting to the voting table taking the pen. "I never want to see your awful face ever again." She said holding up "Andrew".
Janet narrowed her eyes looking serious. She wasted no time grabbing the pen. "Yes, this IS the best move I could make."
Oscar lumbered over scratching his head. Despite this, he shrugged before writing down a name and putting it in the urn.
Andrew glared before stomping over. Snatching the pen, he wrote down a name nearly making it hard to see. "You are without a doubt the most disobedient child I ever met!" He said holding up "Catherine".
Ronald walked over with crossed arms. Raising an eyebrow, he wrote down a name. "You are more a cockroach than a human."
With that, he returned as Tiny got up.
"I'll get the votes."
Everyone waited very impatiently for Tiny to return.
"I'll read them out."
Janet, Oscar and Andrew looked surprised that Ronald didn't play his Idol.
"First vote, Andrew."
Andrew gave a small smirk before crossing his arms.
"Second vote, Catherine. One vote, Andrew. One vote, Catherine."
Catherine grunted in disgust.
"Third vote, Andrew. Two votes, Andrew. One vote, Catherine."
Andrew nodded his head.
"Eighth voted out of Survivor… Is Andrew."
Andrew sat thunderstruck by this. Ronald and Catherine were just as surprised. Oscar had a big grin on his face and Janet was just content.
"Andrew, you have to bring me your torch."
The father sat in his place for a moment before getting up angrily. "Okay, you know what? That's all right but I had just lost the last strand of respect for this tribe!"
With that, he snatched his torch and marched over to Tiny planting his torch in front of him.
"Andrew, the tribe has spoken." Tiny said putting his snuffer over the torch extinguishing it. "You may now go."
"Have fun getting Pagonged, you morons!" Andrew said storming out.
Tiny watched him leave before turning to the others. "Wow. For the first time since Queenmon's elimination, you had voted together to get rid on one castaway. Perhaps there IS still hope for you guys, after all. But we'll see… You may head back to camp."
The four got up and gathered their torches. Ronald and Catherine looked at each other in surprise. Sure, they were glad that they both were safe but Janet and Oscar had proven untrustworthy so there must be a reason why they decided to keep them. Question is, what?
"I am done. I am done with the Aurum tribe. Now thanks to them, Ronald is going to dominate the merge and send them home in the most humiliating ways possible!" Andrew growled. "But you know what? I couldn't be more happier! Let stupidity get rewarded with what stupidity deserves I say!"
RESULTS
Andrew: Catherine, Janet, Oscar, Ronald.
Catherine: Andrew.
And thus Andrew goes home next. Honestly, I just wanted Andrew to be a winner distraction and a major rival to Ronald and Catherine. His main goal is to give the two a hard time. I also wanted people to get a little annoyed with his insistence of getting Ronald out. Not that I wanted him to be COMPLETELY unlikable but while right about Ronald, he acted just as bad as he was.
NOTE: Andrew and Max switched boots in the early drafts. The reason I changed it around because I thought it would be better plot-wise for Andrew to last longer.