"Welcome to the grand finale of Total Drama: Redemption!" Chris starts his show. "After watching twenty Total Drama rejects scramble for another shot at the grand prize, we've finally narrowed it down to two." he steps aside and motions to Max and Dawn, the two finalists. "After a sudden-death challenge sent Leshawna home, we have our final two: Max, the oddball, self-proclaimed super villain with a soft spot for babies, and Dawn, the aura-reading moonchild with a soft spot for everything. They've made friends, enemies, and survived over a dozen dangerous challenges to make it this far. One will walk away a millionaire, and the other will remain a loser forever! Find out who will claim the prize, and who will meet their demise, right now on the season finale of Total. Drama. REDEMPTION!"
In the center of the campgrounds, Dawn and Max sit on opposite sides, their backs turned to one another, only occasionally looking back to glare at each other. On Dawn's side is a small group of animals, specifically the ones she had helped throughout the course of the season. The small, half-mutant bird rests on her finger as she pets it gently. On Max's side are piles of scrap metal, gears, wires and other odds and ends. He is seated beside the mechanical bear that Sugar had broken in the fourth challenge, the hatch on the back wide open and his hands hard at work repairing it.
"Glad to see you two are getting along." Chris says as he approaches them. Neither contestant acknowledges him. "Okay...maybe this will get your attention!" he points towards the dock, where a huge, shiny yacht has just pulled up. The ramp lowers from the side, and Noah is the first to come running off of it, gasping to catch his breath.
"Please, make it stop!" he moans as Staci follows him.
"And they actually offered me a real modeling contract," she says. "But I had to say no because I would've had to switch schools. Did you know I'm an honour student? Yah, top of my class." she prattles on.
"I'll shut her up!" Eva screams as she stomps off the boat. Staci gasps and immediately stops talking.
"Eva..." Rodney whimpers. "Why did I ever break up with you?" he sighs and steps off the boat. One of his eyes is swollen and bruised. "That last kiss...it was like a punch in the face."
"It was a punch in the face." Scott remarks as he walks down the ramp, followed by Anne Maria.
"Yo check out my latest and greatest masterpieces!" the orange girl announces as Katie and Sadie scurry down the ramp after her. The best friends have on a thick layer of eye shadow and red-violet lipstick, matching Anne Maria's.
CONFESSIONAL: ANNE MARIA
"Since Eva didn't want my fashion advice, I had to find someone else." she explains. "With my make up, a tan and a coat of hairspray, and they might look almost as good as me!"
CONFESSIONAL: KATIE AND SADIE
"It was so nice of Anne Maria to give us makeovers!" Katie squeals.
"I know! You look so pretty!" Sadie cheers. "I'm so sorry you didn't win!"
"Aw! I'm sorry you didn't win too!" Katie chirps back.
"Oh! We should try out for that racing show!"
"Ohmygosh, we should! I'd love to travel the world with you!"
"Yeah, and the host is so much cuter than Chris!"
"He is!" Katie and Sadie share a friendly hug.
Courtney makes her way over to the others. Because she's staring at Katie and Sadie's make up, she accidentally walks right into Scott.
"Oh, sorry Scott." she says quickly. Rodney gasps and leans close to Scott.
"I think she likes you," he whispers.
"Her?" the dirt farmer's eyes widen. "Heh, I bet she does." he winks and blows a kiss to his former flame, who just stares back in confusion.
Leonard, Beardo, Ezekiel, and Sugar start walking down the ramp next. Tyler follows, but slips and tumbles down the ramp, bowling over the others. Brick joins them on the dock moments later.
"Are you guys alright?" he asks calmly.
"Never better." Tyler manages to say.
Beside the dock, Leshawna rides up on her brand new jet-ski and walks up the beach. Behind the finalists, a bright red helicopter lowers itself until it is just inches over the ground. The door opens and Blaineley tosses Dakota and Sam out, with Sam landing on top of his girlfriend. Leshawna leaves the group to help them up as the helicopter leaves again.
"How'd the reality show go?" Leshawna asks.
"Ugh, it got cancelled!" Dakota cries. "After only like two episodes!"
"Why?"
"They kept trying to make me angry so I'd mutate," Dakota explains. "But when I'm with Sam, I'm never unhappy!" she smiles and hugs him.
"I told you the mutant thing would pass if you stayed calm." Dawn says, finally acknowledging the recently arrived guests.
"Yes, you're quite the know-it-all," Max growls.
"Yeah, but now I'll never be famous..." Dakota whines.
"Never say never," Sam says, handing Dakota her cell phone. "Check it out." She scans the screen quickly and gasps.
"I have a Wikipedia page?" she grins, revealing her still razor-sharp teeth. "I'm famous!" she yelps, hugging Sam and Dakota extremely tight.
"Hey..." Ezekiel sighs. "I never got a show when I mutated..."
"Well, if everybody's here, I'd like to get on with the finale." Chris says, clearing his throat. "Max, Dawn, your final challenge awaits! But first, a little surprise. In a few of the past finales, eliminated contestants were welcome to assist the finalists in the last challenge. I've decided to do something a little different this time." He steps back toward the dock, where the boat remains anchored. "I've decided to bring back a friend you two made during your debut season! Who wants to meet their partner first?"
"Me!" Max demands.
"Good, Dawn's first." Chris laughs. "Dawn, during your short run in season four, you spent most of your time revealing personal details about your fellow campers. While you quickly became a fan favourite,"
"Really?" she interrupts. "I did?"
"Don't interrupt." Chris scolds. "While you quickly became a fan favourite, the rest of the cast saw you as a total creep. However, some actually didn't hate you, even after you stole from everyone."
"I didn't do that!" she shouts while Scott laughs from the crowd.
"I said not to interrupt." Chris warns again. "Please welcome your partner for this challenge, Beverly!" The heavy-set, silent genius makes his way down the ramp and onto the dock. He glares at Chris before Dawn speaks up again.
"He prefers to be called B." she says. B smiles and approaches her, giving a high five to Sam as he passes. Dawn smiles and gives him a quick, friendly hug.
"Moving on," Chris continues. "Max. You spent all of Pahkitew Island prancing around, declaring how evil you think you are, and making just about everyone hate you. Naturally, we had a hard time finding a friend who would willingly help you. Of course, none of us expected you to make it this far. We did notice one person who actually did like you, and here she is now! It's Scarlett!" Everyone, especially those from the sixth season, share a collective gasp. Sugar crosses her arms and glares, Rodney blushes and looks at her nervously, and Ezekiel surprisingly looks happy to see her as she steps slowly onto the dock.
"Yo! Scarlett!" he yells. "What's up?" He holds his hand up for a high five, but she simply adjusts her glasses and walks past, her arms resting behind her back.
"Ezekiel." she acknowledges him. Everyone looks puzzled and stares at the homeschooled weirdo.
"We were in the same hospital," he shrugs.
"I'm glad she's your friend," Max says sarcastically. "But she is NOT mine! Chris, I demand that you assign me a new partner!"
"We did a lot of paperwork to get her out of the crazy house," Chris explains. "You're stuck with her."
"Max." Scarlett says softly. "I've spent a lot of time in that mental correctional facility."
"Crazy house." Max corrects her.
"Right." she growls. "I've changed, I promise. And I'm going to prove it by helping you win the million dollars!"
CONFESSIONAL: SCARLETT
"I originally wanted the money to help pay for college," Scarlett reminds the viewers. "However, as it turns out, threatening to kill five other people in a fiery blast, and trying to steal money on international television bars you from most universities. My main goal is to prove to the viewers that I truly have changed for the better."
"Before I reveal the challenge," Chris continues. "I'd like to reveal the second place prize. As always, the winner will receive one million dollars and a shiny silver case. But, as part of my promise to the top five, the runner up will receive...a brand new car!" Chris motions over to Chef Hatchet, who is standing beside a rusted sedan. The windows are cracked, the red paint is chipped and faded, and the seats all look like they were once used as a cat's scratching post.
"So she gets a jet ski," Max objects, pointing to Leshawna, "And one of us just gets that pile of scrap metal?"
"Cars are worth more than jet skis," Chris shrugs.
"Oh yeah? And how much did you pay for that one?" Max asks.
"Just washed up on Boney Island before the season started." Chef answers.
"On top of that, you both get Total Drama Redemption T-shirts." Chris explains, handing the finalists their rolled up shirts. Neither finalist looks impressed.
"Now for the challenge," Chris proceeds. "For this final challenge, we've combined several previous challenges in what I like to call the Total Drama Redemption Gauntlet of doom! To begin, the finalists will have to launch a ball out to their partner on a floating platform in the ocean. Afterwards, they must carry a glass of water past various obstacles. Spill it, and you'll have to walk all the way back. At the top of the cliff, one of you will have to dive in and catch a clam while the other reels you back in. Racing back down the cliff, you'll have to melt these massive ice cubes. Inside the ice is a picture puzzle that you'll have to solve together. After that, it's just a straight run to the finish line, where you can grab a torch and light the fireworks to seal your victory!" Chris pauses after his lengthy explanation. "Now, any questions?" Max and Dawn both raise their hands, but Chris ignores them. "Good."
Near the finish line, the eliminated eighteen contestants find seats on a set of bleachers. In front of them is a large screen where they can watch the action, and two fireworks displays labeled with the names of the final two. Beside those are a pair of burning torches. Courtney finds a seat between Scott and Leshawna. Rodney, on Scott's other side, nudges him and points out who just sat down.
"She just sat next to you." the country boy whispers. "It's love!" Scott's eyes widen as he glances at Courtney, who is completely oblivious.
CONFESSIONAL: SCOTT
"I don't think that Rodney guy knows a thing about romance." he growls. "But when it comes to Courtney...I can't help but believe him!"
CONFESSIONAL: COURTNEY
"It would be nice to give Scott another chance, especially outside the competition." she explains. "But I have a lot of friendships to try and repair first."
"Everybody ready?" Chris screams. "GO!" he blows his airhorn. Max and Dawn immediately load a dodgeball into their oversized slingshots. Dawn's ball flew right over B, while Max's smacked Scarlett right in the face.
"Ow!" she shouts. "Did he do that on purpose?" she growls for a second, then sighs. "Raise the angle and decrease the velocity!" she calls out.
"Huh?" Max grunts.
"Aim higher and don't pull as hard!" she repeats, resting her palm on her forehead.
Max launched another ball while Dawn just stared off at Scarlett with one brow raised. B tried to get her attention, but could not do so without talking. He jumps and waves his arms before Dawn finally realizes. Once again, both balls miss their targets. Dawn's was a perfect shot, but B couldn't quite reach it, while Max increased the angle too much and sent it sailing into the ocean.
"I know Chris won't clean these up when we're done..." Dawn whispers as she launches one more. It flies right into her partner's hands. He gives her a thumbs up before hopping into the water and swimming back towards land.
"Max!" Scarlett yells. "Now we're falling behind!" As Scarlett gets more frustrated, Dawn stops running again to look back at her before B tugs her arm. Max desperately launches as many dodgeballs as he can until Scarlett finally catches one. By the time they catch up, Dawn already has her glass of water and is walking across the first obstacle: A thin balance beam over a pit of thorn bushes. Max fills his glass quickly and joins Dawn on the beam. "Max, if you wanna catch up you'd better do something!" Scarlett warns.
"Fear not, former sidekick!" Max declares. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his lump of dirt with the small explosive on it.
"You built something that works?" Scarlett scoffs.
"Observe." Max tosses the makeshift grenade in front of him and it lands right in Dawn's glass of water. She gasps as it snaps and the blast shatters her cup. Max lets out his signature evil laugh and passes by her at the end of the balance beam. She looks down at what's left of her cup and sighs.
"Now what?" she asks B. "I don't suppose there are any extra cups?"
"Nope!" Chris yells through a speaker. Dawn sighs again and looks around nervously. Back by the beach, she sees the seagull that once had plastic choking its neck. Suddenly smiling again, she hurries over and grabs it. After whispering to it briefly, it flies over to the faucet by the starting line and starts filling its beak with water. Dawn returns to the obstacle course and picks up the bird before making another attempt at the balance beam. By the time she finishes, Max has already finished the second obstacle: moving past a series of heavy swinging wrecking balls. Dawn hurries past them with no problems and catches up before they start the next one. The finalists must jump between individual stepping stones, once again above a pit of thorns, while paintball guns loaded into the trees are locked onto them. Together they both start jumping across. Dawn gracefully evades the oncoming paintballs. Max, instead, takes several hits all over, just barely making it to the other side. Dawn's seagull opens its beak and dumps the water into a bucket with a red line painted on it. Chef Hatchet, who had been waiting by the end inspects it closely to make sure she had enough. He gives her a thumbs up and she and B rush off. Max collapses on the ground, covered in paint, spilling his water, luckily into the bucket. Chef gives him the okay to keep moving. Scarlett hurries over and picks him up.
"Max, you have to hurry!" she scolds him.
"Why are you so determined to help me?" he asks, still dazed. "You hate me. You tried to kill me." Scarlett growls again, takes a deep breath, and then responds.
"I've had a lot of time to think." she explains. "You and I have...quite a bit in common. Specifically having no friends..." she forces a smile and her eye twitches a bit, looking almost sinister. "I hope that if I help you win, you might forgive me. Now, let's keep moving! We have to catch up!" she shouts.
"Lucky for you, I made a few modifications to a companion of ours." Max says confidently, holding up a remote. He presses the button and the mechanical bear flies to his side with the jets in its paws. "Let's go." The evil duo climbs on top of the robotic bear and starts flying to the top of the cliff. As they fly, Scarlett lets out a wicked cackle and throws her hands into the air.
"Oh, sorry." she says quickly. "My doctor and I are still working on that." They arrive just as Dawn, attached to a harness and a massive coil, leaps down into the water.
"We have to hurry!" Scarlett commands, strapping Max into the harness and shoving him off the cliff. He splashes into the ocean and resurfaces beside Dawn.
"You should be careful around Scarlett..." Dawn warns ominously.
"Why would I listen to you?" Max snarls.
"I've been right before." Dawn replies as she dives below the water.
"Hurry up!" Scarlett screams from the top of the cliff. Max submerges himself and starts the search for a clam. Both helpers feel their cables tug at the same time and start reeling their partner back up. Max and Dawn rise from the water, fighting over the same clam.
"You're going to hurt it!" Dawn cries.
"It's not even a real clam!" Max protests. He reaches over with his free hand and yanks Dawn's hair, forcing her to let the clam go. "Yes! It's mine!" he cheers. Dawn sighs and asks B to lower her again. As Dawn returns to the water, B glares at Scarlett and Max. As they show the clam to an intern for approval, he silently creeps over to their mechanical bear. He carefully flips open the hatch behind the neck and starts moving wires around before hurrying back to the crank to reel Dawn back in. The intern gives the villains a thumbs up and takes their clam. Together, they climb back on the bear's back. As they prepare to fly away, the bear suddenly leaps up and shakes them off. Its eyes turn bright red and it snarls menacingly at them.
"What did you do?" Scarlett barks.
"Me? You're the one who was up here with it!" Max shouts back. "You had all this time to sabotage me! This is what I get for leaving a sidekick unsupervised..." The bear lets out a horrible, mechanical roar that sends Max and Scarlett running down the hill. Meanwhile, Dawn had already shown her clam to the intern and was catching up with Max and Scarlett, with B by her side.
"Do you have any more dirt grenades?" Scarlett asks in a panic. Max quickly pulls one out of his pocket and hands it to her. Scarlett slides to a stop and turns to face the robot bear. With a decisive swing of her arm, she sends the small bomb right into the mouth of the beast. It bursts, frying the wiring inside and effectively killing the monster. "They must have done it." Scarlett snarls. "We have to slow them down somehow. And I think I have a plan...Dawn's a tree-hugging do-gooder, right?"
"Yes. Wouldn't hurt a fly." Max confirms. "She'd probably talk to it."
"Good." Scarlett shows her sinister grin as she moves closer to Dawn and B. "Gee, looking at that old car..." she starts, trying to sound friendly. "I'd hate to imagine the carbon emissions that thing would let out. Maybe if you won it you could recycle it or something?"
"I don't think it would run." Dawn says calmly. "It's already done all the damage it can." Both pairs of finalists arrive at the massive ice cubes with puzzles sealed inside. Scarlett grinds her teeth as she returns to Max.
"Useless!" he calls her. "That is no way to psych someone out! Observe." Max walks over as she and B observe the ice cube. "Ohh Dawn," he chirps. "Tell me, would you consider Staci a friend of yours?"
"Huh?" Dawn hums. "I guess so. Why?"
"Aha!" Max laughs. "If she's really you're friend, why did you eliminate her?"
"What are you talking about?" Dawn says as she raises a brow. "I didn't eliminate her." A TV monitor rises from the ground behind them and Chris's face appears.
"Are we having a little debate here?" he asks. "Luckily, we record everything. Let's go to the tapes!" The screen shifts and starts showing clips of Dawn telling Staci not to talk as much. It then shows Staci's confessional, where she tells the viewers that she's having a hard time following Dawn's advice. After the confessional, it shows Staci nervously standing around, not contributing to the challenge. The montage ends with several voting confessionals, revealing that her former team voted for her because she didn't participate in the challenge. Dawn just stares at the screen, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. Max lets out a triumphant laugh and returns to Scarlett's side.
"I'm impressed." Scarlett admits. "Now for the ice. If I rub it and you hit the same spot with a rock, we can get through really quickly!"
"No!" Max refuses. "I had a master plan during the first ice challenge." he holds up his sloppily made flamethrower, with a can of bug spray and a lighter duct taped to some wood. As he starts melting the ice away, B desperately tries to get Dawn's attention. He waves his arms, he shakes her, but she just stands still, staring off into space. B frantically hops around, but the thing that catches Dawn's attention is her small, pink, fire-breathing bird. It flaps past her head and starts melting the ice for her. Dawn shakes her head and glares at Max before grabbing a rock. She and B start hitting the ice block while the bird continues melting it. On Max's side, he melts it even faster while Scarlett smacks it with a rock. Max manages to reach the puzzle inside first and, with Scarlett's help, they both start slapping pieces into place. B and Dawn trail only slightly. Once the table is free, she starts furiously placing puzzle pieces.
"I can't believe him." she grumbles. As the picture on both puzzles becomes more clear, the finalists realize that the puzzle depicts a photo of the twenty contestants who played in this season, with the word "redemption" written in red across the top. "Done!" she declares, giving a high five to B as they make a dash to the finish line.
"Finished!" Scarlett and Max cheer together.
"It all comes down to this," Chris says to the spectators. Dawn reaches the torches and grabs hers, then starts sprinting to the fuse for her fireworks display. Max rushes up behind her, grabs his torch, and in a moment of desperation, he throws it.
...
...
...
The flying torch soars right over the box of fireworks that was meant for Max. Dawn smiles and lights the fuse. The string shrinks and sends a dozen glowing rockets into the air. They explode in a flurry of light, even spelling out Dawn's name, signaling her victory. In this moment, her friends, rivals and enemies all let out one big cheer. The only people looking displeased are Max and Scarlett.
"Congratulations Dawn!" Chris yells. "The winner of Total Drama: Redemption!" Joining in her celebration, B, Staci, and her bird all come to her side.
"Staci, I hope you don't think I caused your elimination." she says.
"Oh, not at all," Staci assures her. "I have million dollar ideas all the time anyway."
"Well, I'm happy to announce that I'll be spending the money on all of you," she says to the rest of the cast. They all smile and cheer again. "by using it to benefit our beautiful planet!" she finishes, suddenly ending the cheer.
"And for our runner up," Chris says, showing Max to the car.
"Well, maybe I can use the spare parts to make a death ray?" he shrugs.
"Not likely." Scarlett remarks, glaring down at Max. "You're a moron for throwing the torch."
"This is no way to regain my friendship." he barks back.
"I don't care about that!" She finally admits. "I don't want to be your friend! I wanted to steal the money for myself!" she rants, nearly foaming at the mouth. "And my backup plan would have been to pretend to be a changed person so I could at least get out of that damn mental rehabilitation clinic!" Suddenly, two large men in white coats arrive and grab Scarlett by her arms and start leading her away. "No, what are you doing?!" she screams. "You haven't seen the last of me!" her voice trails off as she is removed from the scene.
"I'm sorry Max." Dawn says, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Some people are just incapable of change. She still has a long way to go." Max scoffs and pulls away from her friendly hand.
"I don't need this." he grumbles. The back door of his 'new' car suddenly falls off, the sound of the crash startling him. Inside is a bird nest, housing three more birds that match the one Dawn carried through the season. One of the birds had three eyes, another had razor sharp teeth reaching haphazardly from it's beak, and the last had wings that resembled those of a bat. Dawn's bird flew off her shoulder and met the other three in the air. They all let out a quick breath of fire, then turned and glared at Max. He screams and runs off while the reunited avian family chase him.
"Well would you look at that." Chris says, beginning his conclusion. "And there you have it folks! Yet another season of Total Drama comes to a close! Now, is everyone happy?" he says flatly to the cast. Ezekiel opens his mouth to answer, but is quickly cut off. "Don't care! Thanks for watching, and tune in in the future for more action! This is Chris McLean, signing off, and this has been, Total. Drama. REDEMPTION!" As the show comes to a close, Max rushes past Chris, followed by the aggravated birds, who surround him and begin pecking him furiously. The cast, Chef Hatchet, and the interns all join in laughter as the show comes to a close.
The torch flies past Dawn's head and lands directly in the box of firecrackers. The crate crumbles and the fireworks ignite, flying off in every direction, causing panic among the spectators. They all leap off the bleachers and run for cover. In the series of small explosions down low, three fireworks launch straight up and burst, spelling out Max's name in light.
"Congratulations Max." Chris coughs as the smoke clears. "Despite nearly killing everyone with fireworks, you did set yours off first. You're the winner of Total Drama: Redemption!" The ex-contestants let out unenthusiastic cheers and applause as they get back on their feet. As Chris goes to hand Max the suitcase, Scarlett snatches it from both of them.
"It's mine! It's all mine!" she shrieks, laughing maniacally.
"Uh, actually it's...mine." Max whimpers.
"I warned you," Dawn adds. "She never cared about repairing your friendship or helping you win."
"That's right, and now the million is mine!" Scarlett repeats. As she triumphantly holds the prize money over her head, a pair of surly guys in white suits grab her by the arms and start to drag her away. Max snags the case as they do. . "No, what are you doing?!" she screams. "You haven't seen the last of me!" her voice trails off as she is removed from the scene.
"I don't suppose you'll be using the money for good?" Dawn asks the winner.
"Not a chance!" he declares. "I'm building a death ray! Or a robot army! Or a robot army AND a death ray!" Max lets out his evil laugh while Dawn and B approach her 'new' car.
"Well, maybe I can recycle the metal..." she sighs. She tries to open one of the doors and accidentally rips it off. Inside is a bird nest, housing three more birds that match the one Dawn carried through the season. One of the birds had three eyes, another had razor sharp teeth reaching haphazardly from it's beak, and the last had wings that resembled those of a bat. Dawn's bird flew off her shoulder and met the other three in the air. They all let out a quick breath of fire, then turned and glared at Max. He screams and runs off while the reunited avian family chase him.
"Well would you look at that." Chris says, beginning his conclusion. "And there you have it folks! Yet another season of Total Drama comes to a close! Now, is everyone happy?" he says flatly to the cast. Ezekiel opens his mouth to answer, but is quickly cut off. "Don't care! Thanks for watching, and tune in in the future for more action! This is Chris McLean, signing off, and this has been, Total. Drama. REDEMPTION!" As the show comes to a close, Max rushes past Chris, followed by the aggravated birds, who surround him and begin pecking him furiously. The cast, Chef Hatchet, and the interns all join in laughter as the show comes to a close.