(A/N: After over a year in the making, here it is: the conclusion to Specter Island. In retrospect, this is definitely my favorite season so far. Thanks to everyone who's read and supported the story, and who will continue to do so into the next season. I hope you enjoy seeing the last three competitors battle it out for the money... and the little something that happens afterwards.)
"Welcome," Milton announced, "to the finale of SPECTER ISLANDS!"
Milton stood in front of a large, metal building, with his intern Julie by his side, and the cast of Specter Island surrounding him. After several days' wait, it had finally arrived: the moment of truth. At last everyone would know who would be walking away with one million dollars.
"The building behind me contains the final trials which will determine who wins the million dollars," Milton announced, "will it be Johnny, a resourceful hunter at the top of his game? What about Gwen, an intelligent girl with a heart of gold? Or maybe Quinn, vicious, cunning, and willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead? Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to end this! Quinn, Johnny, and Gwen, step forward!"
The three contestants stepped in front of Milton, who smiled.
"Now," he began, "I'm expecting you to make me a lot of money here, so don't disappoint. This season, none of you will be able to select an assistant, so you'll be on your own once you're inside. Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be," Gwen sighed.
"I reckon."
"Yeah, whatever. Let's just get this overwith."
"Good, now follow me," Milton instructed, leading them inside.
The three contestants found themselves in a large, circular room with a single door across from them.
"So, here's how the challenge goes," Milton explained, "although you might not be happy. While you guys were relaxing here, I had a challenge created that combined the aspects of the most dangerous challenges you faced on Specter Islands."
With that, Milton walked over, opened the door, and beckoned everyone inside.
"Namely," he smirked, "the vaults."
"You've GOT to be kidding me," Gwen groaned.
Inside, the three contestants were faced with a massive labrynth composed of huge granite stones.
"Cost us a fortune to have it installed this quickly," Milton shrugged, "of course, the cost pales in comparison to the payout."
"Is money all you care about?" Gwen demanded.
"Well, of course," Milton scoffed, "I AM a man of business. All other things are ultimately irrelevant in the long run. Now, intern! Supply our competitors with the necessary gear!"
Justin appeared out of nowhere, a scowl on his face, and handed each competitor a gun and a pair of goggles.
"Thank you James," Milton nodded.
"It's Justin!"
"Whatever, I could buy and sell you. Anyway, you three COMPETITORS will use the equipment you've been given to defend yourself against the dangers inside the labrynth. The guns only use rubber bullets- while they won't kill, they'll definitely leave a mark, and will serve to protect you from what's inside. These include the raptors from the island, various interns also equipt with weapons, robots, various traps, and... the other contestants."
"The other contestants?" Gwen asked.
"Oh yes," Milton smiled, "the reason why you couldn't pick contestants to help you is because as we speak, they're being let loose into the maze, free to help or hinder you as they see fit."
CONFESSIONAL: Quinn
...god damn it.
END CONFESSIONAL
"Oh, and do be careful about the traps you set off," Milton advised, "I won't give you all the details, but it's going to be hard to compete if you get that fear gas in your system."
"Wow, you've managed to out-Chris Chris," Gwen said.
"Oh, indeed," Milton grinned, "I'd be lying if I said I haven't had fun planning this- I do believe I'll be more involved next season."
"Wait, next season?" Gwen demanded.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that now. Just get moving- a million dollars depends on it. The first person to reach the end wins, after all."
The three competitors looked at each other, and sped off into the labrynth. Milton smiled, and straightened his tie.
"About time," he sighed, "now then, Julie dear? Do make sure out guest arrives as planned. I'd much like to introduce our new host to the contestants."
~o.0.o~
Inside the labrynth, the contestants reached a three way fork. One path that went straight, plus two paths that went left and right.
"Figures," Johnny muttered, "well, may the best player win."
"I intend to," Quinn smiled, pointing her gun at him.
"Hey, woah!" Gwen exclaimed, "Quinn, don't-"
Johnny managed to leap out of the way before Quinn could fire, and ran down the right path.
"Guess I'll deal with him later," Quinn shrugged, turning to Gwen, "sorry, sister."
Gwen immediately turned and ran straight, narrowly avoiding a few of Quinn's shots.
"Are you CRAZY?" Gwen demanded, "that could seriously hurt me!"
"That's the idea, cupcake!" Quinn called, firing another shot.
Before Quinn could fire, Gwen rounded a corner, disappearing from sight.
"Well then, let the games begin," Quinn sighed before going down the left path.
~o.0.o~
As he headed down the path, Johnny was bombarded by nuisance after nuisance, mostly interns flinging assorted junk at him. This was all easily brushed aside, of course, and it wasn't until about twenty minutes passed that Johnny encountered his first real problem that was of note: one of the lizard men from the island.
The lizard man let out a shriek, and charged at Johnny. Instead of firing his weapon, Johnny instead swung it at the creature's face, causing it to stagger backward. Johnny swung again, aiming for its gut, but to his surprise the monster grabbed the weapon, snapped it in two, and tossed it to the side.
"Alright then," Johnny said, taking a nervous breath, "this is how it ends."
The creature charged, and Johnny managed to slip past it, and then deliver a kick to the back of its knee. The beast almost fell forward, regained its composure, and then turned around and swiped at Johnny, cutting his chest open.
Johnny let out a yell, and stumbled backward. The creature grabbed him by the throat, lifted him, and slammed him on to the ground. Before Johnny could move, the lizard man delivered a kick to his head, knocking him unconscious. The creature examined Johnny for a moment- bloody, bruised, and unconscious- before grabbing him by the legs and dragging him off.
~o.0.o~
Gwen made her way down the path, casting the occasional glance over her shoulder. Quinn hadn't followed her, as surprising as that was. Even more surprising was the fact that she hadn't encountered much of anything so far, so she was growing more and more anxious, sure that something was waiting for her around the corner.
"Hey, Gwen!" A voice called.
Gwen nearly jumped out of her skin, and turned around to see Duncan jogging up to her.
"Duncan?" Gwen asked, "Where did you come from?"
"No idea," he shrugged, "I was just wandering around and I saw you. You need any help?"
"That'd be nice, yeah," Gwen nodded, "come on, let's see if we can get out of here- or at least find Cody."
"Cody was one of the first people to go inside," Duncan told her, "he'd be pretty deep in the maze by now."
"Then we better hurry," Gwen said, "come on."
Gwen and Duncan made their way through the maze without any sort of hassle until they met with another, less friendly former competitor: Eva.
"Well, well, well," Eva smirked, "looks like I lucked out, huh? I get to take Gwen out of the game!"
"Why? What have I ever done to you?" Gwen demanded, "I don't think we've ever even spoken until now!"
"Maybe not," Eva shrugged, "but still. It isn't fair that all you have to do is prance around acting nice and you get a spot in the finals. You're one of the most annoying competitors in the history of this show, and I'm glad I get to take you out. The others will have to wait their turn."
With that, Eva pulled out a large, sealed tube.
"What is that?" Gwen asked.
"A tube of fear gas," Eva smirked, "good luck competing with this in your sys-"
Eva didn't get to finish, as Gwen raised her gun and fired, puncturing a hole through the tube Eva was holding. The gas inside immediately poured out, causing Eva to cough and gasp for air.
"No!" She exclaimed, "Not- SPIDERS!"
"Come on, let's go the other way!" Gwen shouted.
She and Duncan turned and ran down the hall, leaving Eva to frantically defend herself from her imaginary foes.
"Nice work," Duncan smiled, "she had that coming."
"Ugh, what a jerk," Gwen muttered, "at least she can't go after anyone else. Here, there's a turn over there we can take. I just hope this isn't the wrong way."
As the two rounded the corner, Gwen let out a gasp.
"Oh crap," she groaned.
~o.0.o~
"That's what you get for trying to get in my way!" Quinn snapped at the intern who was writhing on the floor in front of her, "Now, how am I supposed to get out of here?"
"The entrance is back that way," the intern told her.
"Oh? Very funny," Quinn muttered, "the location of the exit. Give it to me. Now."
Quinn walked over, and kicked the intern in the ribs.
"Okay, okay," he choked out, "make the next left you see, that'll put you on the right path."
"Thanks. Asshole," Quinn muttered as she walked away.
Once she was out of earshot, the intern said, "I hope she becomes raptor food."
Further down, Quinn was already speeding along, trying to reach the exit. She was becoming less and less confident in herself that she could beat the other two players, but tried to push those doubts to the back of her mind. She had made it this far- she just needed to win one last challenge. If she was lucky enough, she would stumble across Gwen or Johnny and be able to put them out of commission. Of course, it wasn't either of the two she came across first- it was Geoff and Courtney.
"Great," Quinn sighed, "you two."
"We aren't happy to see you either," Geoff snapped, "YOU'RE the reason we got eliminated!"
"True," Quinn smiled, "but it's also true you aren't going to do anything about it."
"Oh yeah?" Geoff demanded.
"Yep. C'mon, you two are the least likely to seek revenge out of anyone on the show," Quinn pointed out, "so sure, act tough all you want, but I'm going to walk right by here and you aren't going to do a thing about it."
To illustrate her point, Quinn strolled past Geoff, a triumphant smile on her face.
"See you guys later," Quinn laughed as she walked off.
"...so, did you manage to slip it into her pocket?" Courtney asked.
"Yep," Geoff smiled, "a small pack of beef jerky. This raptor things will be all over her once they smell it."
~o.0.o~
"Ugh... What?" Johnny groaned.
When the cowboy opened his eyes, he was thrown into a panic when he discovered he was being dragged off by the lizard. Johnny struggled to get free, and after delivering a few kicks to the beast's midsection he was finally able to break free. Getting to his feet as fast as he could, Johnny broke out into a run, heading in the opposite direction, but it wasn't long before the thing caught up and slammed him into a wall. Johnny swung his elbow back and hit the thing in its stomach, causing it to release it's grip. Johnny turned around, and shoved the lizard man back. To Johnny's surprise, just as the lizard man reared up to attack again, it suddenly turned its head to the side, let out a roar, and stalked off in the other direction.
"What the...?" Johny mouthed, still frozen in place.
"Hey Johnny!" A voice called.
Johnny turned, and saw Veronica appear from the hallway that the lizard man had just run down.
"Veronica?" Johnny frowned, "What are you doing? What happened to that lizard guy?"
"Dog whistle," Veronica smiled, "apparently they also work on Niko and lizard people. Now we know!"
"Well, thanks," Johnny told her, "that thing really did a number on me."
"Yeah, I can tell. You okay?"
"I'll be fine," Johnny nodded, "but I need to get going. I was knocked out and dragged for a while, so I'm pretty lost."
"Well, you've got my help," Veronica offered.
"Thanks Veronica," Johnny said, "any idea how to get out of here?"
"Gee, well, I think we should follow this path for a while," Veronica said, "if it sticks north we should be on the right path."
"Alright, let's get going."
Johnny and Veronica made their way through the maze unchallenged, chatting as they did so.
"You know, we should find Lucky and Lance," Veronica suggested, "they nabbed some pretty good stuff from the supply crate."
"Supply crate?"
"Oh yeah, each person got to take in one thing with them."
"And you took a dog whistle?"
"Saved YOUR ass, didn't it?"
"Point taken."
The two made a left turn, and were surprised to see Vevo standing in the middle of the path.
"Johnny, huh?" He smiled, "Nice. I was hoping I'd get to put you in your place. How's it feel, hick? To come so far but be beaten by your arch rival?"
"Arch-rival?" Johnny frowned, "Look Vevo, just get out of the way. You know I'll just beat you stupid, it's happened before."
"Those times didn't count!" Vevo shouted, "Chris probably rigged the fights so that you would win! Now there's no one around but the little troll in your shadow."
"Hey!" Veronica snapped.
"Vevo, I'm serious," Johnny told him, "I won't hesitate to put you down."
"Come on dude, quit being an asshole and let us pass," Veronica said.
"Shut up and let the men talk," Vevo told her.
"Okay, you know what?" Veronica asked, "I think I've had enough of you!"
"And what are you gonna do about- OH GOD WHAT-"
Johny watched in fear as Veronica lunged on Vevo, and proceeded to punch him repeatedly in the face.
"Veronica? Veronica!"
"TAKE THIS YOU SON OF A- I'm okay now!" Veronica sighed, getting to her feet.
Vevo laid on the ground, his face badly bruised and swollen.
"What was THAT?" Johnny asked as the two walked away.
"Uhh... I took boxing lessons as a kid," Veronica shrugged, "my dad REALLY wanted a boy."
"Well, remind me not to piss you off. Come on, let's go."
~o.0.o~
"Great," Gwen sighed, "just what I needed."
The two stared at the path ahead of them, which was outfitted with laser tripwires.
"Well how are we supposed to get around this?" Duncan demanded.
"We have to be careful I guess," Gwen shrugged, "come on, let's go."
Gwen hesitantly approached the lasers, and began to carefully navigate her way through. Duncan attempted to follow suit, but much to his chagrin he was repeatedly burned by the lasers.
After what seemed like hours, Gwen finally made her way through, but Duncan was stuck midway.
"Just go without me!" Duncan told her, "I'll catch up later!"
"Alright," Gwen nodded before speeding off.
"... You could have at least given me some words of encouragement," Duncan sighed.
Gwen powered down the hall, keeping an eye out for any traps.
"Great," she muttered, "where AM I?"
Gwen froze in place when she heard the sound of a panel sliding open from behind her, and the shriek of several raptor being let loose into the maze.
"Crap," she groaned, slowly turning around. Directly behind her stood three raptors, all glaring at her. Gwen immediately took off running, with the lizards following close behind. Gwen took every turn she saw, trying to make the task of following her a bit harder, but no matter what she couldn't shake them. Her moment of luck came when she passed a bewildered looking Tyler.
"Hey Gwen, why are you- OH NOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Sorry Tyler!" Gwen called as the jock was dragged off.
Once she was sure she put a significant distance between her and the raptors, Gwen stopped for a breather.
"I hope Duncan and Tyler are okay," she sighed, "but I need to keep moving."
~o.0.o~
Quinn sped down the hall, trying to escape the pack of raptors that had recently started following her. For reasons she couldn't explain, no matter what she did, she couldn't lose them- it was almost like they were able to follow her scent.
When she was finally able to ditch them, Quinn curled up in a ball on the ground, an tried to catch her breath. She had managed to drop her only line of defense, she had been chased all around the maze, and now she was fatigued. She had no real idea what her next plan of attack should be- her original idea of sabotaging the other competitors had lost almost all practicality, and because she had been chased around so much, she had no clue where she was in relation to the entrance- or exit, for that matter.
And then Lucky and Lance showed up.
"Well, if it ain't our old pal Quinn," Lucky smiled, "we missed you."
"You've got to be kidding me," Quinn groaned, "what, you here to talk me ear off about that while 'Boney island' thing? Yeah, I made that story up, and it worked perfectly. You know why? It got rid of YOU."
"Oh, we aren't here to start a fight," Lance told her, "we just wanted to give you something."
"What?" Quinn demanded, "What are you-"
In response, Lucky tossed an open canister of fear gas in Quinn's lap. The two guys fist-bumped, and then ran off.
"NO! SHIT!" Quinn shouted, throwing the canister across the hall- but it was too late. She had already inhaled enough of it, and the side effects were beginning to take hold. Her head felt fuzzy, and her vision was blurred.
"No, no, keep it together," she told herself.
Quinn got to her feet, staggered a little, and started to walk down the hall.
"No, don't start... Don't start..."
"Oh, Quinn~!" A voice from behind called.
Quinn turned around, and saw her worst fear headed straight towards her:
Chucky Cheese animatronics.
"No! Get away!" She shouted.
"Come on, Quinn! Sing a song with us!" One of the Chucky robots told her.
"Fuck that! I'm not a little girl anymore, stay the hell away!"
Quinn sped off, but the damned mouse was persistent.
"Do you want some pizza?"
"No I don't want any damn pizza!"
In the confusion, Quinn ended up running straight into a wall, and fell flat on her back.
"No," she groaned as the animatronics surrounded her, "NOOOOO!"
~o.0.o~
"Down here!" Veronica told Johnny, "I think we're getting close to- Gwen?"
Johnny and Veronica were surprised to see Gwen when they rounded a corner, with the goth girl looking equally shocked.
"You two?" Gwen asked, "I didn't think I'd run into anyone else. I'd love to stay and chat, but..."
Gwen turned and sped off, leaving Johnny and Veronica behind.
"Crap! After her!" Veronica exclaimed.
The two took chase, and with a bit of effort, actually managed to take the lead.
"Johnny! Up there!" Veronica called, "I think it's the exit!"
"Yes!" Johnny cheered, "Come on!"
Unfortunatley for them, a giant panda stepped into view, blocking the exit.
"Oh come on!" Veronica shouted, "What are we supposed to do about that?"
"Awesome," Gwen groaned, "this is just-ah!"
Gwen was startled when a figure swooped down from the ceiling, grabbed her, and swung past the panda.
"What? I- CODY?!"
"Hey Gwen!" Cody smiled, "I was in the neighborhood and-"
Gwen interrupted Cody with a hug.
"I'm glad to see you too," he said, blushing, "come on, you've got a million dollars to win!"
"Aaa and leave us to deal with the bear. Nice," Veronica muttered.
Gwen and Cody rushed out of the maze, where they were greeted by Milton.
"Gwen, congratulations," he said, "you just won CAMP TV: SPECTER ISLANDS!"
Gwen and Cody cheered as confetti rained down on them.
"Your million dollars will be awarded to you shortly," Milton told her, "congratulations. You've managed to best twenty six other players- no easy feat. You faced a ton of challenges alon the way, but you managed to come out on top. How do you feel?"
"I'm just glad it's over,"Gwen said, "and I'm definitely ready to go home."
"Well said," Milton nodded, "come on, let's gather the others and begin the ceremony."
~o.0.o~
And hour later, Milton had gathered almost everyone outside, where he stood with Gwen, a briefcase in hand.
"Gwen," Milton began, "you've beaten everyone you see around you and more. You're the fourth winner on this show, and definitely deserving of the money. Congratulations."
Milton handed Gwen the briefcase. Beaming, she held it triumphantly in the air, and cheered.
"Hey, where's Quinn?" Johnny asked.
"Probably still wandering around in the labrynth," Milton shrugged, "which is the penalty for third place. Ugh, third place. Worst of all places. Anyway, Gwen, while I'm sure we're all excited for you, I'm also excited to be able to introduce to you the host for next season-"
"ME!" A voice shouted.
"Beth?!" All of the veteran cast members gasped.
Beth stood in front of everyone, a crazed grin on her face.
"None of you ever cared to hear my story," she hissed, "well, now I'M in control! And you know why? BECAUSE I'M CHRIS' DAUGHTER!"
"Wait, what?" Duncan asked.
"That's right!" Beth told him, "But Chris didn't want me, so he-"
"Julie," Milton sighed, "who is this?"
"This is Beth, sir. The girl you asked me to find."
"Egad, THIS is Beth? Oh no, that's bad. Bad for business. Please have her escorted off the premises."
"Wait, what?" Beth gasped, "But- my story!"
Two interns grabbed Beth by the arms, and dragged her away.
"WAIT! Don't you want to know how I managed all those tricks in the second and third season? Or how I ended up on this show in the first place?" Beth called, "PLEASE SOMEONE LOVE ME ARGHBLARGHBLARGHBLARGH!"
Beth began to struggle and choke after the two interns threw her into the ocean.
"You know what Julie?" Milton asked.
"Yes sir?" Julie sighed, waiting for her punishment.
"You've been promoted to hostess. Congratulations."
"Yes sir, I- wait, what?"
"You heard me," Milton nodded, "you're in control of the show now. Don't disappoint me."
"I... I won't sir. Thank you!"
"THIS is the new host?" Lucky smiled, "Ring-a-ding!"
"Well, it's not like I'm going to sign up again," Lance shrugged, "once was enough."
"ACTUALLY," Milton grinned, "did any of you read your contracts?"
Everyone looked at each other and exclaimed in unison, "OH COME ON!"
"Yep," Milton snickered, "well folks, we'll see you next season when we pit the greatest heroes and villains of the show up against each other- and throw in a little twist! Or multiple twists, to be more accurate! Now, Julie, about next season. I was thinking we could use one of my cruise liners..."
As the cameras dimmed, the celebrations picked up. The competitors had been through hell this season, and they would enjoy whatever downtime they could get. Gwen was ecstatic at her win, and planned on taking a vacation with Cody before finally settling down and buying a place for herself. But that would all come in its own now, Gwen was glad that everyone was okay. Well, ALMOST everyone.
~o.0.o~
Aria sat alone on the shore of Specter Island, watching the waves roll in. She was surprised the disaster she was sure would befall the island had been averted- of course, that wasn't the only tragedy she had forseen. Aria heard footsteps approaching from behind, and then to her side. Aria turned, and smiled as the man in the bunny costume took a seat next to her.
"Hello, dad."
THE END
(A/N: Well, here you have it. The conclusion to Specter Islands. This was certainly something... I'd be a liar if I said this was completely sunshine and daisies to write, or if I said I didn't consider bailing on the series entirely once or twice, but in the end, it was fun to take the series in a new direction and work with characters of my own for a change. And I'm sure there are a few of you who are ESPECIALLY looking forward to the next season for reasons I don't need to name. And I'm glad to say I'm looking forward to next season too- and it'll be here before you know it. Thank you to everyone who has shown this series love and support, and I hope you enjoy what's to come. Will Aria's catastrophic predictions come true? Will Chris ever come back? Will more Gravity Falls characters make cameo appearances? You'll just have to wait and see. Thank you guys so much- but now, it's finally time to end this season of Camp TV. Specter Islands will always hold a special spot in my imagination- and maybe, just maybe...
Maybe the contestants will find themselves stuck there again.)