(A/N: quick note. If you haven't read chapter 3 of Off the Air, do so now. Otherwise you're going to be very confused very shortly. No no, go ahead- open it in another tab. I'll wait.
...we good? Okay, let's go!)
Each of the competitors stood in line on deck, the hot sun beating down on them as Julie paced in front of them.
"Alright guys, this is it," she announced, "your final challenge before the merge! Fourteen of you stand here, but only thirteen will be able to proceed to the next round, where we dissolve each team, and it becomes every man for themselves! The challenges will get tougher, the betrayals more brutal, and the goodbyes more heartbreaking. At least, that's what Milton wants me to say."
She stopped in the middle, turning to face everyone.
"Today, we'll be deciding who makes the merge the same way you did all those seasons ago, on Wawanakwa- a dodge ball game!"
"Awesome!" Tyler grinned, "I'm totally gonna kill this, guys- Team Vault Hunters to the merge!"
He held up a hand for high-fives, and was promptly ignored. Dejected, he slowly lowered his hand, pouting.
"...as I was saying," Julie continued, "the difference here, however, is that once we dock, we'll be heading to an indoor stadium In Manitoba, where you'll perform in front of a LIVE audience!"
CONFESSIONAL: Deborah
Oh... dodgeball. In front of a live audience. Great.
END CONFESSIONAL
"So remember guys, you worked hard to get here," Julie continued, "and after today, thirteen of you will make it to the halfway point. So, come on- the ship is pulling in now!"
A short while later, the boat had been docked, and the contestants slowly marched off, chatting amongst themselves as they made their way toward the bus. At the front of the line walked Justin and Ella- for once, the former looking more cheerful than the latter.
"Heh. I ever tell you about the first time we did this dodgeball thing?" Justin asked, "It was a long time ago. Right before the merge, same as this, but I got myself-"
"-covered in superglue," Ella finished, sighing.
"Uh... yeah," Justin frowned, before chuckling a bit and continuing, "turned out in the end it was Katie trying to sabotage my team and get me eliminated, but it ended up backfiring after-"
"You got called in, and the dodgeballs got stuck to you," Ella muttered.
"Uh... yeah," Justin blinked, "are you... Okay?"
"My heart sings a sad song," she sighed, before wandering on ahead, leaving Justin behind to wonder what had just happened.
"Hey you- can you sign this?" A voice asked from behind. Justin raised an eyebrow, turning his head. He saw Margo walking next to Lucky and Veronica, holding out a clipboard with a sheet of paper on it.
"What? Why?" Veronica frowned.
"Just sign it," Margo insisted, "IF you have nothing to hide?"
Veronica rolled her eyes, taking the sheet and signing her name, before passing it to Lucky so he could do the same. Margo grabbed the clipboard, looking it over, before nodding.
"Looks like you're clear- sorry, guys!" She apologized. It took Justin about a minute to make the connection.
CONFESSIONAL: Justin
Oh no- she's trying to see who's handwriting matches that note I made! I can't sign that- but if I don't, I'll just look more suspicious! And when I wanted to sweep everything under the rug... not now, not now!
END CONFESSIONAL
Justin made it a point to power on ahead- and as soon as they reached the bus, he headed to the far back, away from Margo, doing his best to keep up a cool facade. He watched as the other twelve contestants piled on- Ella having already boarded- and breathed a sigh of relief when Margo took a seat at the front with Deborah and Johnny. He was slightly annoyed when Tyler plopped down next to him, grinning.
"Isn't this awesome?" He asked, clapping Justin on the shoulder, "We win this challenge and we'll both be in the merge- just like the first season! Just a shame Trent and Cody aren't here, right? Katie is, though!"
"Yeah," Justin nodded, trying to push back the thought that he had spent a good chunk of time figuring out how to humiliate and then eliminate the jock who now presently sat next to him, "it's a shame, alright."
"You know, I wonder where some of the people from the first season are. Like, Harold, or LeShawna, or Owen, or that Ezekiel guy..." Tyler looked to be concentrating deeply, staring off a bit.
Justin rolled his eyes, leaning his head against the window.
"Hey Justin? I wanted to say I was sorry."
Justo turned, surprised.
"You?" He asked, "Apologize to me? For what?"
"Remember on our world tour? That thing with Alejandro? Well... I said some things I shouldn't have. I'm sorry, bro." Tyler sounded completely sincere, throwing Justin off even further.
"...Tyler. That was like... three years ago," Justin pointed out.
"I know... but I never said sorry, and I wanted to get it off my chest!"
"...yeah, don't worry about it," Justin mumbled.
Tyler perked up, grinning.
"Phew! Thanks, dude. We cool?"
"Yeah... we're cool."
Justin spent the rest of the ride in silence, feeling like the smallest man in the world.
~o.0.o~
Entering the arena, the contestants were greeted by bright lights and applause, and a referee standing in the middle of the court.
"That's... a little unsettling," Deborah gulped.
"Can't say I like it either," Johnny admitted, looking around at the crowd.
"What are you talking about? It's just like the talent show!" Margo exclaimed.
"Except neither of us performed then," Deborah reminded her.
"Alright guys- you all know how to play, right?" Julie asked, "It's simple. You throw a ball- if it hits a member of the other team and they don't catch it, they're out, and head to the bleachers. If they DO catch it, then you're out. We'll do best of three rounds- winner gets immunity! You have five minutes to strategize before the round starts!"
Everyone split off to either side of the court, huddling together.
"I've got this, guys," Tyler smiled, "we all grab a ball, and eliminate someone on the other team!"
"...that's... not really a plan, so much as the object of the game," Miri frowned.
"...oh yeah! Well, how about we do offense and defense- like, some people catch, and some throw?" He suggested instead.
"I don't know if that'll work," Margo frowned, "Hm... what do you think, Ella?...Ella?"
Everyone turned to see Ella standing in a corner, facing the wall.
"That's... A little creepy," Deborah commented.
On the other side of the court, things were going a bit smoother.
"Alright guys, listen up," Quinn said, "if there's one sport I know, it's dodgeball. The easiest way to win this thing is if we team up to get their best players out all at once. The rest will be easy pickings."
"She's got a point," Finn agreed, "take out Tyler and Justin first, and the rest should be easy."
"Ah, fine," Veronica muttered, "If we HAVE to take orders from Quinn, now."
"Problem, cupcake?" Quinn demanded.
"Yeah. Your face," Veronica snapped.
"You wanna fight?"
"DO SOMETHIN'!"
"Aright, alright, you've made your point," Lucky said, pulling Veronica away.
"Oh, come on! I can take her!" She protested.
Soon enough, Julie took center stage again.
"Okay guys, it's been five minutes- get into position!"
As everyone lined up, Julie took a seat in the bleachers. The referee stood at the end of the court, casting a quick glance to each team, before blowing his whistle. Several of the contestants sprinted to the center of the court, grabbing a ball before retreating. Finn, for his part, grabbed two, before kicking several back for his team. The two teams stared each other down, waiting for the other to make a move. It was Tyler who broke the standstill, running forward and hurling the ball, the rest of his team following suit.
The Enclave kept calm, and Quinn shouted, "Justin!"
Justin froze for a moment, unsure of what to think, and a moment later he was hit by Quinn, Finn, and Alejandro.
"Okay, okay!" He scowled, walking off court as he was bombarded, "I get it!"
Tyler rushed over, reaching out to grab more "ammo", but he was quickly hit by both Lucky and Veronica.
"Aw, dang it!" He groaned, heading to the bleachers.
Margo rushed forward, throwing a ball, only for Finn to catch it.
"Out," he smirked. He turned, scanning the gymnasium. Only four left- they all watched Finn attentively, save one. Ella still stood in the back, staring off into the distance. He took a step forward, faking a throw to Miri. Miri stumbled back a bit, holding up her hands in defense, but Finn simply turned, throwing at Ella. The ball soared through the air, before finding its mark- hitting Ella square in the nose.
To everyone's surprise, Ella barely flinched, just watching as the ball fell to the ground and rolled away.
"Ella! Are you alright?" Miri asked.
"It feels like how I feel inside," Ella muttered, quietly making her way to the bleachers.
As her teammates watched her go, a ball suddenly flew by and hit Miri.
"Out!" Quinn shouted.
With only Johnny and Deborah left, the rest of the round didn't last long. The two were quickly eliminated, leaving the Enclave victorious. The referee blew his whistle, holding up a hand.
"Clean sweep- the Enclave win!"
"Aww, we were destroyed!" Tyler groaned, "How did that happen?!"
"Uh... Ella?" Just frowned, "Are you okay?"
"There's no such thing as okay," Ella sighed, "no such thing as happiness. It's just an illusion that keeps us complacent until we die- in the mean time, doing anything we can to occupy our minds from our inevitable demise no matter how trivial it may be."
"...what? Stop talking like a crazy person!" He snapped.
"Well, at least we know their strategy now," Margo pointed out, "maybe they won't have time to think of something else!"
She gave a sigh when the referee immediately blew the whistle.
"And neither do we," she frowned, "just, Tyler, Justin... focus on catching the ball instead this time!"
The teams took their positions, and the round started. This time, however, things initially went in the Vault Hunter's favor. Quinn and Alejandro went for the same strategy as last time, aiming for Tyler, but he was able to catch Quinn's ball, and use it to deflect Alejandro's. Quinn grumbled to herself as she headed to the bleachers, Tyler letting out a cheer.
"Ha! Saw it coming, you guys!"
Tyler's smile fell when a second ball flew forward, hitting him directly in the groin. His eyes watered up, and he slowly crumpled to the ground without a word.
"oh, sorry Tyler!" Finn called.
CONFESSIONAL: Finn
Pride cometh before the fall.
END CONFESSIONAL
As Tyler feebly managed to crawl away, the match raged on. Justin managed to get Finn out, and Margo caught a ball that was thrown by Katie, eliminating her. Their numbers advantage didn't last long- Alejandro soon after put on a dominant display, eliminating both Deborah and Johnny.
CONFESSIONAL: Alejandro
After everything that's happened in the past few days, I refuse to even allow a CHANCE at elimination before the merge. This is the year that I finally make it!
END CONFESSIONAL
The eight competitors left in the game stared each other down. The Enclave so far had a point advantage, so any mistake on the Vault Hunters' would mean elimination. Miri, surprisingly, was the first to act. Taking a deep breath she ran forward, lifting her arm in the air, before pulling back and throwing the ball forward as hard as she could... only for Alejandro to easily catch it.
"...aw," she sighed, heading to the bleachers.
As she did so, Justin ran forward, throwing at Luna. The girl gasped, trying to dodge, but to her dismay the ball skimmed her arm. Just barely, but still, she was eliminated. Once again, the teams were even- but in an effort to change that, Margo was next to throw- Veronica rather easily catching it.
"That's what I'm talking about!" She cheered, getting ready to throw again.
Justin looked at the Enclave, and over to his only remaining teammate, the still-depressed Ella. Just as Veronica was set to strike, Justin called out, "Time! I need time!"
The referee reluctantly stepped in, blowing his whistle.
"What? He can't do that!" Katie snapped.
"Don't see where it says that in the rulebook," the referee shrugged, "don't see a rulebook either. I'll allow it."
Justin turned, grabbing Ella by the arm and leading her toward the corner of the room.
"Why'd you stop the game?" She asked, emotionless.
"Listen, Ella," Justin scowled, "I have no idea why you've been acting like this, but you've got to stop. If we lose here, we both have a BIG chance to go home. Our team is counting on us, if we manage to win this we can come back and win the next round1, and go to the merge together!"
"What's the point? Nobody likes me..." she sniffed.
"Ella, I like you," Justin assured her, "really, I do. You're bubbly and happy and polite when everyone else is miserable, conniving and depressing!"
Ella perked up slightly. "Do you mean it? But what about Bridgette?"
"What about her?" He asked, "That kissing thing is just a rumor. She's only a friend now, and even THAT'S a bit of a stretch."
"Really?" She asked again, excited.
"Yes! But Ella, I'm serious! We need to go out there, and we need to win!"
"Yes!" Ella cheered, "We'll win alright! I believe in you! I believe in us! Go Vault Hunters!"
she immediately twirled on to the court, and began singing.
"It's a wicked game we play!
But we two will save the day!
Fear not, dear friends!
This isn't how it ends!
Justin and Ella will find a way!"
"That's... we didn't need the singing," Justin told her, scratching his neck as he walked up next to her. In her excitement, she didn't hear him, and continued anyway.
"Dodgeball!
We'll overcome them all!
Any opponent, big or small!"
"Ella!" Justin warned, the referee signaling that he was about to start the game.
"We've worked together long and well,
but dear team, as time would tell-
once we win this day,
we'll be halfway!
And this team will no longer... gel?"
The whistle blew, and Veronica finally threw her ball, eliminating Ella instantly. Justin watched, slack-jawed, as Ella's face fell.
"Out!" the referee shouted.
"...out?" Ella repeated, stunned, "But the power of song-"
The next thing they new, Alejandro and Lucky both threw, eliminating Justin.
"Welcome to the real world, princess!" Katie taunted as she and Quinn high fived.
"Does that mean we win? We made it to the merge!" Luna cheered.
"Looks like it," Julie agreed, "the Enclave wins, two to nothing!"
"Hell yeah, we're going to the merge!" Veronica exclaimed hugging Lucky.
CONFESSIONAL: Veronica
BOOM! Achievement unlocked, baby!
CONFESSIONAL: Lucky
Ring a ding, so far so good. Now here's hoping I don't fall off a cliff again.
CONFESSIONAL: Quinn
I made the final three last time. Mark my words, this won't be any different.
CONFESSIONAL: Luna
The merge1 I can't believe I made it this far... I just wish all of my friends were here with me!
CONFESSIONAL: Alejandro
Yes! This is going to be the year I finally make it to the end, I know it!
CONFESSIONAL: Katie
Finally... after all these years, I finally made it back to the merge! Mark my words, anyone who gets in my way is done!
CONFESSIONAL: Finn
The merge. Well, can't say I'm surprised. Let's just hope Johnny makes it too, I'd hate for the game to end before it even began.
END CONFESSIONALS
As the Enclave celebrated, the Vault Hunters shot glares at Ella and Justin.
"Well, game over," Justin sighed, brushing himself off.
"Game over? Why game over?" Ella asked, concerned.
"Well, considering we pretty much blew it for the team, I'd say the targets on our backs are pretty big right about now," he told her, "it was fun while it lasted."
Justin turned, heading back to the bus.
"Fun while it- wait!" she called out, chasing after him.
"Well, back to the bus, you guys!" Julie told everyone, "We have a big night ahead of us. For some, celebration, and for one person... elimination."
At this, Miri looked at Veronica uncertainly.
"Don't worry," Veronica smiled, "You'll be fine! I'll see you in the merge, okay?"
Miri slowly smiled back, nodding.
"Yeah... see you there!"
~o.0.o~
A short while later, everyone was back on the bus. Ella sat next to Justin, silent, as the latter stared out of the window.
"...I'm really sorry I lost the challenge," Ella apologized.
"It's... fine. Do you see Margo?"
Ella peered out into the aisle, slowly nodding her head.
"She's up front talking with Quinn and Katie... why?"
"Nothing," Justin muttered, "it's doesn't matter."
"No, tell me!" Ella insisted.
Justin sighed, checking to make sure no one was paying attention, before leaning in and whispering.
"Okay, look. She's after me," Justin explained, "it's only a matter of time before she accuses me of something and has everyone vote me off. I can't let that happen."
"Accuses you? Of what?"
"Of... look, that's not important right now. What is important is that pretty soon, I'm gonna be done for. She has far too many friends to be voted off before me." He closed his eyes, leaning back into his seat. "You know, Ella, it's ironic. A lot of people considered me one of the top stars of this show, if not THE top star. I never won, I know, but I always made the final five, always feuded with the bad guy. But somehow, in the all-star season when I should shine and finally rise to the challenge, I'm going to be defamed and eliminated before the top ten."
Ella watched him silently, before pulling him into a hug.
"Don't let your dreams be dreams!" She told him, "I believe in you! Trust me... everything will be okay!"
~o.0.o~
That night, the seven members of the Vault Hunters gathered on deck for the elimination. Margo took a seat next to Deborah, sighing.
"So, how'd your questioning thing go?" Deborah asked.
"Not as good as I hoped," Margo admitted, "I had Katie and Quinn sign, but the handwriting didn't match up at all. And I had a feeling it was one of them, too..."
"Have you considered they used different handwriting for the note?"
"It's possible, but handwriting styles are fairly unique," Margo explained, "it's pretty hard to-"
"Okay everyone!" Julie interrupted, "The votes have been cast, and it's time to spin the wheel!"
The hostess leaned over, giving the wheel a spin. The contestants watched as it turned, and turned... before, for the first time in the season, it landed on 'safe'.
"Safe? That's never happened before," Julie said, surprised, "But, the wheel has spoken! I guess... we'll decide who makes it to the merge next time? That's right folks, join us next time as-"
"No!" Ella declared, standing up, "Not next time! The wheel has spoken, but so will I?"
"What are you doing?" Justin scowled, "Sit-"
Ella reached into her pocket, pulling out the Revenge Idol.
"The... but I thought..." Justin stammered.
"That's right!" Ella continued, "I have the Revenge Idol, and I'm using it right now, on MARGO!"
"What? No!" Margo shouted, "Why would you- you can't!"
"Let me see that!" Julie frowned, stepping forward and taking the idol. She examined it closely, before nodding. "It's the real thing- she didn't throw it away at all. Well, the rules state that this can eliminate anyone at any time... so, Margo, it looks like we're deciding who makes the merge after all. Your journey ends here."
"No- no, you can't, please!" She protested, "I was so close to solving it- why are you doing this?! Unless... was it you?!"
Everyone turned, staring at Ella.
"Was what me?" She asked, genuinely surprised.
"It was! You left that note! You kidnapped Point!" Margo accused her, "It happened right when you showed up! It all adds up! It all-"
Priscylla suddenly appeared, grabbing Margo.
"As much as I love hearing someone cry in agony... you need to go," the intern said simply, before tossing her overboard near the life boat. Margo landed in the water, coughing as she pulled herself up.
"It was her, guys!" Margo shouted, "She was behind all of it! Don't let her do anymore damage!"
All eyes were on Ella as Margo's screams slowly faded out. The girl wasn't sure what she had just done... but she had the feeling it had been a mistake.
(A/N: and there we have it! Not my longest chapter, but you know, I think it was right to the point! Of course, I left you on another cliff hanger... sort of. Ella eliminates Margo to try and defend her Prince Charming- only for the consequences to bite her back immediately! Will Justin let her take the fall, or will he come clean? Now that the merge has finally hit, what sick game does Finn have in mind for Johnny? How will Luna fare with Alejandro now that her other friends are gone? How long until Tyler makes a colossal fool of himself? What happened to Lucky's stylin' suit? Will I finish this story before 2017? All these answers and more, probably soon-ish!)