"Gwen," Cody frowned, "I... You don't have to tell me what's going on if you don't want to."
Gwen looked up at the horizon, and then at Cody. They were still on the boat back to the island. If they were going to speak in private, this would probably be the best chance.
"I'm... Cody, I..."
"It's okay, Gwen," Cody assured her, "you don't-"
"I'm sick, Cody."
"Wha... What?"
~o.0.o~
Back at the island, Lance was watching in disgust as Lucky chatted with Sunny. A million voices were flying around in his head, assuring him of his greatest fears. Lucky was planning against him. Had to be. That was the reason they hadn't spoken much as of recently, right? Lucky was plotting to eliminate him... But he knew better.
Lance stood there, shaking a little. Okay, so maybe he hadn't been taking his meds as much as he should have. But that was okay, right? He didn't need them. He was strong. He was smart. He was destined for greatness. That much Lance knew to be true. Medication would only slow him down, blur his vision. He wouldn't be able to see clearly- like how he hadn't seen Lucky's planning. But he knew better now.
"Hey," a voice called out, interrupting his thoughts, "we need to talk. Now, while it's still dark."
Lance turned around and saw Vevo, a triumphant grin on his face.
Lance nodded, and followed behind as Vevo led him through the wilds to where Eva had been waiting.
"About time you got here," Eva frowned, "Lance. It's time."
With that, Eva lifted up a treasure chest.
"No way," Lance said, "that was you who stole it?"
"Stole it?" Eva frowned, "No, that wasnt me. I found this after hours upon hours of crawling around in the dirt. Thanks for the help with that, by the way."
"Pfft," Vevo scoffed, "whatever."
"Okay," Lance said, "so what's the plan?"
"We make out move in a few days time," Eva said, "after the next challenge. Lance, you've been hunting with Johnny, so you know what areas he frequents. You two head in, burn it down, and then we cash this in for some food. Then, we give rations to whoever votes with us."
"Good plan," Lance nodded, "but I have a... An addition."
"Oh?" Vevo asked, "lets hear it."
"We pin it on somebody else first," Lance said, "and get them eliminated from the jump. Then we go in and offer food for free, and we look like saints."
"Huh," Vevo nodded, "that's not bad. And if it fails, we just go bac to rationing it out. But who would we blame?"
"Easy," Lance said, "we pin it on Lucky."
"What?" Eva frowned, "Aren't you two friends?"
"Nah, no way," Lance frowned, "I know what that snakes been up to. I say we take his ass out now."
"Alright," Vevo nodded. He wasnt quite sure what Lance was talking about, but he wasn't a big fan of Lucky either.
"Yeah," Eva nodded, "this works out, and we'll be in the final three in no time at all!"
~o.0.o~
Cody stared at Gwen in disbelief, still not quite sure he had heard her right.
"I've... I've been sick for a while now," Gwen continued, "ever since the second season. That's why I broke up with Geoff. I was... Scared. That I might..."
"What... What is it?" Cody asked, "that you're..."
"It's... A heart condition," Gwen explained, "it's... Not good, Cody. Not at all. I'm... I might..."
"Gwen, I-"
"And on top of that," Gwen interrupted, "I'm losing my mind. I keep seeing things, and I'm actually SCARED of the dark! I have no idea what's going on!"
Gwen paused before continuing.
"It all started that night when Sadie showed up. You remember? I can't remember wh
"Whatever it is, you can get through it," Cody gulped, not quite sure of what else to say.
Gwen shook her head, and leaned over the side of the boat, staring at rapidly approaching island.
"I'm scared, Cody," Gwen admitted.
Cody put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't be," he said, "I'm here with you."
Granted, Cody knew that was the biggest cliche in the book, but he wasnt used to handling this sort of situation. Besides, it seemed to be helping, if only a little. Actually, Cody wasn't quite sure anymore, as Gwen didn't really respond to him. Cody let out a slight cough, and removed his hand.
"Um, listen," he said, "we're nearly there, we should-"
Cody was startled when Gwen turned around, and pulled him into a hug. Cody was slightly taken aback at first, but quickly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer.
Gwen slowly broke away from the hug, and glanced back at the island.
"Lets just do our best to stay in the game for now," Gwen sighed.
~o.0.o~
A few days later, Cody was sitting on the beach, absently skipping rocks.
"Hey," a voice behind him greeted.
Cody turned to see DJ, who was taking a seat next to him.
"Oh, hey DJ," Cody sighed.
"You looked kind of lonely out here," DJ said, "so I thought I'd come say hi. Anything wrong?"
"No," Cody muttered, "nothing's- well, okay, a little, yeah. I, um... I'm really worried about someone close to me."
"Gwen, right?" DJ asked.
"How'd you know?" Cody frowned, glancing at DJ.
"You two have been acting strangely around each other, is all," DJ shrugged, "I mean, one of you will stare at the other when you think they're not watching, you pass by each other without a word, and both of you have seemed more depressed than usual. What's going on? You have a fight?"
"No," Cody explained, head in his hands, "almost the exact opposite. She just told me a lot of stuff that's been going on with her. I'd tell you, but-"
"I understand," DJ nodded, "not your story to tell, don't need to worry about it."
"Right," Cody said, "well, without getting into a lot of specifics... Gwen is in a bit of trouble, and I have no idea how to help."
"Cody," DJ started, "there's a lot of things in life you won't know how to handle. And I don't just mean with Gwen- with almost anything. But you know what you can do? You can be there for her."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Cody agreed, "but it doesn't feel like I'm doing much."
"Maybe it won't FEEL that way," DJ repled, "but you'll probably be helping more than you think."
"Maybe," Cody nodded, "I think I'll head back to camp now. You coming?"
"Nah," DJ frowned, "I'll wait here for a bit."
"Okay, see you later!" Cody wave before heading off.
Once back at the camp, Cody walked over to the boys cabin, and opened the door.
"Hey guys," he greeted, "just came in to grab- what the?"
"Oh, hey Cody!" DJ, who had been lying on his bed smiled, "how's it going, man?"
~o.0.o~
"Okay, campers, listen up," Chris instructed, "because today's challenge is threefold."
It was several hours later, and the fifteen remaining competitors were listening to Chris explain the challenge.
"Now, any student of history will probably be familiar with Emperor Nero," Chris said, "one of the most controversial of the Roman Emperors. However, you may not be familiar with the Neronian games- a competition he set up that involved performing, athletics, and finally, a chariot race! Today, we'll have our very own recreation of the games! For each round, you will pick the required amount of representitives, and have them compete. Whichever team does the best that round wins a point. The team that scores two point wins the challenge- and the losing team gets to send someone home!"
"Okay, so what exactly do we have to do?" Courtney asked.
"Simple," Chris said, "for the first portion, all you have to do is select one performer. That performer can do anything along the lines of sing, paint, act, or even recite poetry. You have an hour to prepare, and then meet me over by the stage where we conduct eliminations. That's where you'll be performing."
Chris smirked at the contestants, and then marched off.
"Okay," Courtney said, turning to her team, "who's going to step up for the first challenge?"
"Well," Sunny offered, "I play guitar. And piano. And the violin, trombone, piccolo and harmonica. But mostly guitar."
"That works," Courtney agreed, "unless anyone else would like to offer?"
"Not really, no," Miri shrugged.
"Okay, Sunny it is, then," Courtney announced.
"Okay," Sunny said, heading back to her cabin, "just let me grab my guitar, and I'll figure out something to play."
The Ronin, however, were having a bit of difficulty selecting their act.
"Well, does anyone here have experience performing?" Duncan asked.
"Well, I sang in choir," Eva said.
"Okay, lets hear it," Duncan nodded, "sing the chorus of... I don't know, 'Don't you Forget about me'."
"Okay," Eva smirked, "ahem."
Eva then launched into possibly the worst rendition of the song possible. For a few minutes, the Ronin thought that maybe she hadn't been singing at all, and instead imitating an injured pterodactyl.
"OH GOD PLEASE STOP!" Duncan shouted, covering his ears.
Eva stopped singing, looking incredibly offended.
"Why I never," Eva scoffed, crossing her arms.
"Oh, I know!" DJ said, "I can do one of those cooking show type things!"
"Is that really our best idea?" Duncan frowned.
"Looks like it," Alejandro nodded.
"Okay," Duncan hesitantly agreed, "just... Please don't mess this up."
"Don't worry, I got this," DJ smiled, "let me get my cooking gear!"
As DJ ran off, Cody watched with a look of fear on his face.
"You alright, amigo?" Alejandro asked.
"What?" Cody asked, "I... Yeah, no, I'm fine!"
CONFESSIONAL: CODY
okay, I must have been dreaming or something this morning... I had to have fallen asleep on the beach or something like that. But for whatever reason, I just can't bring myself to trust DJ.
END CONFESSIONAL
After the hour had passed, the competitors gathered around the stage, where Sunny and DJ were beginning to set up.
CONFESSIONAL: SUNNY
Yes! This is exactly the sort of chance I've been waiting for since I got here! DJ seems nice enough, but it's time for him to get blown away by the power of rock n' roll!... Or should I do something a bit softer, like The Mountain Goats? Or maybe some Elton John- point is, Rock and Roll!
CONFESSIONAL: QUINN
Sunny does take a lot of pride in her musical abilities. It'd be a shame if something were to go wrong and embarrass her on national television. (Begins laughing) oh yes, a real shame. You're going down, rocker girl.
CONFESSIONAL: DJ
Time to make mama proud!
END CONFESSIONALS
"Okay," Chris announced, "DJ, you're up first! What have you got for us, my man?"
"Welcome back to Cooking With DJ!" DJ grinned, "Today we're going to show you how to make-"
"Okay," Chris sighed, "DJ, let me stop you right there. What the hell?"
"I... I just thought I'd be creative and-" DJ started.
"Just... Just what the hell?" Chris sighed again, rubbing his temples, "You were doing so good, DJ. So good. I mean, you nailed two horror challenges, even though most of us thought you'd mess up. Now you're just... Just get off the stage."
"O-okay," DJ choked out, tearing up a little. DJ ran off the stage and back to the cabins, bawling.
"Nice," Duncan scoffed, staring at Chris.
"Oh, shut up. I'm the host here! Sunny, it's your turn. You're going to have to screw up PRETTY badly to lose this round to the Ronin."
Sunny finished setting up her equipment, then smirked.
"Alright," she said, "lets do this!"
Sunny took her place, and began to strum the notes to "Don't Go Away Mad".
Quinn, a smirk on her face, disappeared behind the stage.
"Okay," she smirked to herself, "which of these wires will-"
As she went to touch one of the cords, however, she recieved an electrical shock. She stood there, held in place for a moment, before falling backward to the ground.
"Agh... What the hell?" She demanded, getting to her feet.
20 minutes ago...
As Sunny hooked up her equipment from behind the stage, Quinn came up from behind her, a sinister look in her eye.
"Good luck with your performance," Quinn snickered, "you'll need it."
Sunny raised an eyebrow in suspicion as Quinn marched off. Once she was gone, Sunny began to walk back to camp.
"Hey Miri," she called, "can I talk to you a second?
Present time...
Sunny finished her performance, and took a bow as a few of the contestants clapped.
"Solid performance, Sunny," Chris announced, "the Legion wins round one!"
The Legion cheered, except for Quinn, who was just joining them, a look of fury on her face.
"Oh, hey there Quinn," Sunny cheered, "I was wondering where you got off to. Enjoy the show?"
Quinn opened her mouth to say something, but just angrily shook her head.
"Okay, kiddies," Chris said, "the next part of the challenge is an obstacle course- what better way to show off athletics, amiright? So, each team needs to pick one athlete to represent them in this portion of the challenge!"
"Great. Good thing our most athletic player was just medically eliminated," Quinn muttered, glaring at Miri and Courtney.
"We said we were sorry!" Miri whimpered.
"I'll do it," Geoff offered, "or, try to, at least."
Alejandro had also stepped up for his team.
"Please, allow me," Alejandro smiled, "not to brag, but I am the most physically... Able out of all us."
"That sounds like bragging to me," Vevo muttered.
"He's got a point," Duncan shrugged, "he is the most fit out of all of us. Go ahead, Alejandro."
~o.0.o~
A few minutes later, and Geoff and Alejandro were at the start of the obstacle course- which had Chris written all over it. The entire course, for starters, had been built over what looked like quicksand. The first obstacle was a tightrope, and then a long section of monkey bars that was built directly over rotating blades. After that came a treadmill complete with swinging logs overhead, and finally, a few small trampolines leading to the finish line.
"Um, Chris, while I've never been one to shy away from a challenge... This looks particularly unhealthy," Alejandro said, eyeing the course nervously.
"Relax. The spinning blades are actually rubber! I think," Chris frowned, "I don't know, I wasnt the one who designed this course."
"What?" Duncan asked, "who ELSE could be this sadistic?"
"Um..." Chris thought.
2 days ago...
"Huh," Chris frowned, looking over the course schematics, "are you sure this is safe?"
"Absolutely," VIA responded, "failure to complete the course should results only in minor injuries."
"You have a funny definition of 'minor injuries'," Chris scoffed.
"I'm a funny person."
Present time...
"...shut up, is who thought of it!" Chris snapped, "now, get going! We don't have all day!"
Geoff and Alejandro groaned, then readied themselves.
"And... GO!" Chris shouted.
The two set off, managing to do well for the first part of the challenge. When it came to the treadmill, however, Geoff took a little too long, and was launched off by one of the swinging logs.
"GEOFF!" Courtney cried.
Geoff fell off the platform, and into the sands below. While his teammates rushed over to help him, Alejandro went on to finish the challenge.
"And Alejandro scores a point for the Ronin!" Chris announced, "it looks like we'll be going to the tie breaker, after all- a chariot race around the island!"
"I'll do it," Johnny said, stepping forward, "I've got a bit of experience with horses."
"Of course you do," Vevo scoffed, "that just figures."
"I'm sorry, there something you're trying to say?" Johnny glared.
"No," Vevo smirked, "I'm just saying its no surprise a hick like you has experience with animals."
"Vevo," Johnny muttered, "I've just about had it with you-"
"Yeah, but you're not going to do anything, are you?" Vevo smirked.
"Just shut up," Johnny warned, "shut up right now."
"And if I don't?" Vevo smiled, "you're just some chicken-shit redneck who-"
Vevo was silenced by a sudden jab to the nose. He let out a yell, and fell backwards, clutching his face.
"He broke my nose!" Vevo wailed, "he broke my-"
"I warned him," Johnny muttered, shaking off his hand.
"He broke my- isn't anyone gonna do something?" Vevo demanded.
"Actually, I'm pretty sure most of us have been waiting for that all season," Chris smiled, "myself included. So, Ronin, which one of you-"
"I'll do it!" Vevo shouted, getting to his feet, "time you learned your place, Johnny!"
"For the love of- just stand down," Johnny snapped, "you got your beating, just take it."
"Oh no," Vevo hissed, "lets end this."
"Ooh, I like it!" Chris smiled, "everyone follow me!"
Chris led the contestants down to the beach, where two chariots were waiting, horses drawn to each.
"Okay. Climb into your chariots, and we'll get started!" Chris instructed.
Johnny and Vevo got into their chariots.
"Okay, one lap around the island!" Chris said, "ready... GO!"
Johnny immediately took off across the shore, while Vevo angrily tried to get his horses to cooperate.
"C'mon," he groaned, "c'mon you stupid animals! GOOO!"
One of the horses gave and indignant neigh, and bucked strong enough for Vevo to be launched out of the chariot and into the sand.
"Gragh! Stupid-" Vevo spat, "I should- hey no, wait a minute!"
Vevo scrambled to his feet, but was helpless as the horses took off without him. Vevo let out a groan, and dropped to the sand as many of the contestants- including a few from his own team- laughed at him.
~o.0.o~
Johnny returned some thirty minutes later.
"And it looks like Johnny wins it for the Legion!" Chris announced.
"Nice work, Johnny," Miri smiled.
"Thanks," Johnny nodded, tipping his hat, "either way I enjoyed the ride."
"Ronin," Chris continued, "elimination in one hour!"
~o.0.o~
Once the contestants were gathered, Chris began handing out marshmallows.
"First marshmallow goes to... Cody," Chris announced, "Gwen and Duncan, you're also safe. Lance, Eva, and... Vevo. DJ and Alejandro. It's down to you two. And I think it's pretty obvious who's going home."
CONFESSIONAL: CODY
I'm sorry, DJ, I really am. As soon as I marked you down, I knew I made the wrong choice, but... Something's seriously messed up here.
END CONFESSIONAL
"And the person going home is ALEJANDRO!"
"What?!" Alejandro demanded.
CONFESSIONAL: EVA
Alejandro was a growing threat. He was gaining the trust of everyone, and doing well in challenges. With the merge rolling around, he may well have become unstoppable. So I took him out preemptively. Granted, it wasnt easy, but I managed to get DJ to go along with it- I made him think that everyone else was planning to vote him off.
END CONFESSIONAL
"Fine," Alejandro sighed, "it... Wasn't the run I was hoping for, but at least I managed to get here honestly. Goodbye, amigos."
"Goodbye, Al," Cody frowned, "I'm... I'm sorry you didn't make the merge this time."
"Don't worry," Alejandro smiled, "I'm sureyou'll make it for me."
Alejandro gave a slight wave, then turned and left.
"Well, that's that," Chris announced, "time to head back to camp!"
~o.0.o~
Much later that night, a few of the Legion (minus Lucky) were sitting around a fire, celebrating their victory.
"Seriously, Johnny, nice going!" Sunny smiled, "shutting Vevo up must have been nice!"
"It was what it was," Johnny shrugged, "I took no pleasure in it... But it needed to be done."
"Hey, anyone else see smoke?" Miri asked.
"Uh, no shit," Quinn mocked, "we're sitting around a campfire!"
"No," Miri insisted, shaking her head, "look!"
Miri pointed to the woods, where a thick cloud of smoke was hanging overhead.
"Oh no," Johnny groaned, "FOREST FIRE!"
TO BE CONTINUED...