The main building of Great Lakes Comics; the workplace of Lincoln and Gwen as they were at their desks hard at work completing their final part of the horror action comic. Gwen was wearing a pair of sunglasses along with a dark blue hooded blazer with 'HARKER' etched on it; going by the penname 'Gwen Harker' (second name taken from the Dracula story) to make sure that her work gets distanced from her time as a Total Drama contestant as much as possible and to see about not getting recognised in public.
Gwen was close to breaking her pain as she was being as detailed as possible drawing in the gruesome zombie kills in the climax of the story; "Gwen... Gwen... Gwen!" said a voice and Gwen jumped as she noticed going to her desk was one of the veteran writer and artists affiliated with the company. "Sorry Gwen; I wanted to congratulate you and Lincoln as I heard that your David Steele: One Good Death comic got the approval." the man said apologetically and his eyes widened when he glanced at Gwen's drawings as she had jumped and calmed herself down. "Woah Gwen... I know that zombie fights would be gruesome but... With how you were drawing and the results; it looks like you are going through stuff..." the man muttered as Gwen put up a smile for him.
"Sorry Darwyn; just something that I will deal with. Still thanks very much." Gwen replied and then waved to Darwyn as he went on his way with Lincoln giving a worrying glance at her. "I will be okay Lincoln; just need to take my deep breathing and relax... We will be done soon and... We will deal with everything..." Gwen assured Lincoln as their editor came to check on their progress.
"Okay Lincoln, Gwen... How about you take an early break after your done with your pages... It kind of looks like you need one Gwen." the editor told them as then passed their desk.
"Thanks sir... We will need one..." Lincoln said and soon after they were done on their pages; they gathered their stuff and made their way out down the stairs and through the door. "So you think that it would help if we draw Chris as a victim in the comic; distinct enough that he can't send the lawyers over? Or how about we just get a bite at Lynn's Table?" Lincoln asked looking concerned and Gwen chucked at his idea of drawing Chris as a zombie eating victim; a joke but it would make her feel a bit better. Still a bite to eat at the restaurant chain started by Lincoln's dad that was slowly but surely spreading out through the state. An added quirk that Lynn Sr insisted that his kids and their loved ones eat there free. She can just relax...
"Can I get an autograph please?"
"What? How have I been discovered? I have to hide!" Gwen screamed out startling Lincoln and the young teenage boy coming up to them with a notepad and a pen. "How did you find me..." Gwen was asking but noticed the Ace Savvy shirt he was wearing.
"I saw you and I know the comics building you work is nearby; I was hoping for an autograph as I really like your work Ms Harker..." the kid asked as Gwen's eyes widened; the kid didn't recognise her from Total Drama. He was just a fan of their comics. "Should I go..." the kid asked as Gwen looked apologetic and took the kid's notepad.
"Oh no kid; I am so sorry... I thought... It's no excuse but I am just having an off-day..." Gwen told the teen apologetically happy to have her fanbase built with her and Lincoln's comic work; she did appreciate fans in her Total Drama days but while comic fans and franchise fans in general had their fair share of super weirdos who take things too far and way too seriously; at least none of the comic fans that Gwen and Lincoln had were super into her personal life like the Total Drama and reality TV fans. After they signed the autograph; the teen went on his way waving to them.
"Well; I feel like this is going to take a turn for the worst...Like what if those coming here t the city for the Reunion recognises Gwen Harker as... Uh!" Gwen muttered wondering what could happen as Lincoln put his arm around her shoulder to comfort her as he got his phone out to text Dawn:
We were let out for an early lunch; be at Lynn's Table.
A blonde haired woman in a revealing two piece blue swimsuit was trying out the waves at the Great Lakes City beach on her surfboard and they were not bad at all; she still didn't understand why Chris had them all come all the way to this city in America to host the Reunion where all the contestants who had taken part were mostly Canadian but he gave some reason that they had gotten a good deal with the TV studio that airs the show in the US but in a sort of Chris way that made it obviously that he was lying his butt off.
Still it was her idea that she she helped put together with Geoff to reunite and get to catch up with the whole gang and Chris was able to let them lead the thing as in the preparations and what would happen. Even if he had pull and final say on the budget and the location but still they were hosting.
She was done impressing the beach goers with her championship winning surfing skills and went back on land; there were excited fans asking for autographs and pictures that the woman Bridgette was more than happy to provide for her fans. Still annoying have to deal with the rude comments, catcalling and wolf whistles.
"I have been a big fan since Season 1 Bridgette and do you know if there is any luck on the final statement about if Gwen is going to show up?" asked a woman Bridgette's age and Bridgette frowned as that was the biggest disappointment. She was hoping to finally fix things as she realised that she wasn't totally fair with Gwen on that 2nd Aftermath episode and they never really got to really talk again after that to fix the friendship that they had. Bridgette always assumed that she would get her chance later but then there was that rant video Gwen made after making it home from All-Stars. The video entitled I Don't Wanna Be Famous:
"...I am sorry to all the fans out there that have been super nice and cool about everything and everyone I ever met on the show... Most of you are amazing but... I am done... With Total Drama... I am no longer under any obligations in any paperwork I have signed... I hope I can get to see everyone again once Chris kciks the bucket and at his funeral we can make it a whole party to celebrate but until then... Gwen is signing off happy to be a has been and wishing that she just accepted being nobody again after that Gemmie Awards snub..."
Bridgette tried to track her down all the years but no luck and she was hopeful with this Reunion she was given the okay to start putting together; that she could see her again but all these years Gwen was still disavowing the franchise.
"Fraid not..." Bridgette said with a smile honestly scared as Chris told her to leave those details to him so obviously she got something planned. She remembered what Geoff said when they discussed it with eachother:
"You remember all we had to go through; I'm still shocked that she was the only one to decide that she was forever done. You know she only went through with agreeing to All-Stars to patch things up with Courtney..."
She did and she understood Gwen's reasons but it still hurt that it meant not communicating with everyone that she had come to know on the show. Plus she had talked with Courtney who was acting as the main lawyer involved with putting all contracts together and knew that she had became more mature and regretful of how she let her competitive side ruining her fixed friendship with Gwen leaving them on a sour note.
Once she had the chance she went to put on a robe and picked up a bag which kept a special ring given to her by Geoff. She smirked; the Reunion will turn heads and get everyone's attention when her and Geoff's engagement would be revealed to everyone. She knew that other couples were together and there was Tyler engaged to Lindsay. She saw the text on her phone from her fiancé saying:
Trent has this wicked song that must be played at the wedding! You have to hear this!
Bridgette smiled thinking of Trent who went on to make a good solo career for himself as a musician after the Drama Brothers broke off; still a sweet guy (who was awkward about how he let the fame get to his head in the Drama Brothers; that infamous party and how he actually asked Justin to text a break up to his then girlfriend for him) and he and others could tell that he kept a torch for Gwen and hoped to see if they could reconnect if they are not too different people.
Bridgette was suspecting that Chris putting this much effort in the requests to Gwen was that if she and Trent rekindled on the Reunion Special or if something happened with Duncan; then it would make for a good drama involved TV special to hype up his newest season. Bridgette however was thinking of how romantic it would be if they did rekindle after meeting again all these years later while catching up and rekindling friendships.
Still time is running out before the Reunion Special and she wondered that even if Chris could get Gwen to agree; would she even be able to get to Great Lakes City in time? I mean Bridgette was imagining that right now she was far away in where she had been hiding back in Canada for all this time...
"Ahh, that definitely hits the spot... I don't know how your old man came up with these recipes but I don't care..." Gwen sighed happily at bench outside the Great Lakes Lynn's table with Lincoln who was finishing his meal while on the phone and with Dawn who was eating her vegetarian burger while petting the birds that had come to see her. Thank goodness for the restaurant having to go options.
"Sorry Clyde but best friends forever or not... I won't spoil the surprise for you! You are going to have to wait like everyone else to see if Sheldon survives or not..." Lincoln was saying as Dawn giggled and Gwen smirked; how Clyde could be was quite amusing to her but he was definitely Lincoln's best friend for a reason. Was the easiest decision made in planning the wedding in deciding who the Best Man will be.
"You know what... Still time and that burger made me feel better so... Going for another!" Gwen told them going back inside as Dawn and Lincoln sighed.
"I hate how stressed her Aura is and knowing that I can only do so much... If only fate could have threw us a bone and leave Chris with whatever condition to put him out of everyone's hair for good..." Dawn admitted to Lincoln and he nodded getting the point. "Thinking about it; I got so distracted that the animals all noticed... Seeing all those puppies look at me like that; you can only imagine..." Dawn admitted as she worked at the city's animal shelter.
"I wish I could have gotten away with socking McLean on the face; do you know how many times that I dreamed of that happening thanks to all he put you two through... Of course you know but..." Lincoln replied and Dawn giggled at him pointing out how she can sort of read minds with Aura reading. Dawn got up to put their rubbish in the bins but there was a couple her age about to walk into it her as she was done.
"Oh I am so sorry... Wait..." the redheaded woman said and her eyes widened along with the man to Dawn who then realised who they were. "Dawn; is that you?" the woman asked as Dawn put on a smile and waved to them.
"Hello Zoey and Mike; nice to see you both going strong and how you don't have problems with your personalities anymore Mike." Dawn greeted them as Mike smiled at him and Zoey was close to embracing her.
"Dawn; it is you! I... I remember how I wanted to apologise for falling for being weirded out by you and not giving you a chance and wanted a proper chance at All-Stars but got so disappointed when I learned that you weren't taking part... I am saying now that I am so sorry!" Zoey told Dawn and Lincoln got up.
"II know that I didn't resonate with everyone there Zoey so not needed but I do appreciate and it is very nice to meet you all again." Dawn said simply as Lincoln was coming up.
"As All-Stars contestants who were in the final 2... Technically speaking... We were invited to come all the way here to the US for the Reunion Special. I take it that you were as well.." Mike explained and Dawn gave a nod.
"Not really. I was told that I would be welcome in a personal message but... I actually live here in Great Lakes City now; working at the Animal Shelter if you have time to check it out." Dawn explained as their eyes widened.
"You really moved all the way to America? In the city where the Reunion is taking place... What are the chances..." Zoey said as Lincoln and Dawn rolled their eyes; yeah the chances... "Kind of excited to meet everyone coming here; Ezekiel has put his life back on track and there was all the original generation at Total Drama that weren't part of All-Stars that should be cool..." Zoey but said but started sighing as Lincoln listened in.
"She is kind of bummed that Gwen may not be taking part; if you heard the news that she apparently turned down her first invitation and refused to reply to any follow ups. A big deal in the news concerning this Special since it seemed that she was super serious after her final video all those years ago." Mike said as Lincoln coughed and they noticed him.
"Sorry; hope you don't mind butting in but can you blame her? The poor woman went through a lot and I heard that she was flushed all the way to Niagara Falls when she was last eliminated on that teen torture of a show." Lincoln said as Dawn gave him a thumbs up in how he was handling saying that. "Sorry..." Lincoln said as Zoey just gave him a sad smile.
"Don't worry you're right... It's just that I remember telling Gwen that I hope we would be on the same team next but we never got to meet again. I was hoping to catch up." Zoey replied as they gave a wave and were heading out as Lincoln and Dawn waved with hands while holding the other's together which Zoey noticed. "Wait a second... Dawn; is this your boyfriend?" Zoey asked as Mike noticed as their faces betrayed any attempt to hide it and it was caught by the couple.
"Wow congrats Dawn; I'm Mike and you are..." Mike asked as Lincoln as he took Mike's offered hand shake.
"Lincoln; saw you on the show when we watched together..." Lincoln answered and they then noticed Sergio the bird flying over them; having gone out to meet some bird friends from the Casagrande apartment.
"Oh hey Lincoln, Dawn... I was wondering but what is it called when a boy and 2 girls are all dating eachother and the boy gets engaged with a girl. Are you like a third wheel Dawn since you're not the engaged one?" Sergio asked as Lincoln glared at that stupid bird and for the first time in her life; Dawn wanted to harm an animal badly.
"Wait... You 2 are in a polycule?" Zoey asked surprised as they sighed and nodded.
"Yes...Can you keep it quiet please? We are happy together and after the official ceremony we are going to have an unofficial one where I make vows to them both and they make one to me as well." Dawn whispered to them as they smiled.
"As long as your all happy; that's all that happens and nice seeing you again as well as your boyfriend. Do hope to see you at the Reunion; plus... I hope there is enough water under the bridge that we could expect invitations..." Zoey told them as Dawn giggled and they went on their way.
There was a cough as coming up to them from the restaurant gate was Gwen with her extra burger; "So I noticed... Looks like Zoey and Mike found you both..." Gwen said as they sighed and nodded.
"We kept things secret but they realised we were together and thanks to a certain stupid bird we had to admit that i was engaged to the 2nd woman in our relationship. Don't worry we didn't put in any clues that it was you or we know you." Lincoln explained as Gwen cursed Sergio under her breath as she tucked into her burger.
"A lighter topic... They are both hoping for invitations but no way to do so without having to get them to swear to secrecy once they see who the bride is. Plus already packed with all our family and friends." Dawn brought up as Gwen knew that was a longshot but while she had nothing really against the two of them; the less the public realises that she is there in Great Lakes City as Gwen Harker the better.
"More people that find out and people would be expecting that Gwen's wedding have her former co-stars invited. Chris would try and put the pressure to make it a TV event..." Gwen remarked but her eyes widened at the idea but shook it off. No way would she let Chris do that.
Hey since ComicsBrokeMe had been trending on Twitter; I want to give a shout out to the comic book staff out there burned out by all the work that they had done in the industry. Like most industries; the comic book industry doesn't treat the people responsible for their success well so I hope that they get the help that they need and whatever they are rightfully entitled to in pay. Plus Darwyn in here was named after one of my all time favourite comic book artists the late great Darwyn Cooke; his cartoon esque drawings are nothing but breath taking to me. Check out his Batman story Ego which served as an inspiration for The Batman.
Yeah I will admit that I was really hesitant to even include Mike in any of my stories as I read that they didn't do a good or accurate job with depicting multiple personality disorders and how he kind of took over the main plot of All-Stars which was supposed to be a big crossover between the two TD casts.
