Total Drama Endless, Episode Twenty-Four.
...
(Quick Author's note) Hello again everyone. Just a little heads up, because of the positive response to the idea during the Q&A I decided to start scrubbing the Real people from the fic a little early. They'll be known by their new identities from here on out. If you don't remember what they are don't worry. It should be easy to tell who's who from context."
...
The golden doors swing close behind then and at once the last three contestants are frozen in place. The splendor before them almost too grand to behold.
They've entered a banquet hall, vast and immense. It's scale and beauty put Hogwarts's elegant Great Hall to shame.
Everywhere they look there is gold on display in such quantities it would make a dragon writhe with envy. The entire hall itself seems sculpted of the precious metal. From the ornately carved columns shaped like spears, to the roof far above them made of what looks to be thousands of golden shields. Not that they're paying the roof much attention. It's the locals that draw their eyes.
The hall is crowded with people, men and woman alike. They sit at long tables feasting and drinking from hollowed cattle horns. They wrap their arms around each other singing songs in booming voices. They even battle one another with sword, shields and axes anywhere there is space to do so.
Above all of this, ethereal women hover, wearing wings on their backs.
It's hard to tell of the imposing din of the room, but the girls both hear the Indy begin laughing weakly.
"He actually did it."
Beatrice turns to him with a look of mild concern.
"Did what? Where are we?"
"We might be dead." Indy says calmly.
"What!?" Yelps Beatrice. Peach let's out a sharp cry of terror.
"I said might be." Indy clarifies. He scans the room.
"What's the matter?" Peach asks.
"Just trying to see if I recognize anyone." Indy says. "Either of you ladies see anyone here that looks noteworthy?"
"What about him?" Peach asks. Pointing to a man at the centre of a large group. Indy chuckles.
"Him I'm very surprised to see here. This is more his dad's place."
Beatrice frowns "Hey Indy do us a favour. Stop messing around and tell what this place is."
"Trust me. Everything will make sense in a second."
He beckons them to follow him. They walk over to the group. The man in the centre's a mighty figure, built solid and muscle bound. His long hair and beard both a crimson red. As they approach, he looks up from the cattle horn he was draining and let's out a roar of approval.
"AHA! Here they are! Make room folks! Make room I say! You have more visitors!"
He pushes his associates aside forcefully and strides over to him. The man's adored in red tunic and fur cloak.
"I assume I have no need to introduce myself. As mortals you've no doubt heard legends of my triumphant." He adjusts his belt and in a gloved hand picks up something the table. It's small, silver and not in the shape one would normally expect it to be. But there's no mistaking what it is.
A hammer.
Beatrice looks surprised.
"Oh…wait I think I've heard of this." She says looking around with renewed interest. She turns back to the stranger. "So you're-"
"THOR! God of Thunder!" Booms the god, casting his war hammer to the heavens and letting loose from it a torrent of lightning which goes bouncing across the ceiling high above them. He laughs uproariously.
"Welcome fellow warriors to Valhalla!"
The crowd around them cheers uproariously.
Indy begins laughing again.
"I was joking about the afterlife thing."
He shakes his head.
"But we aren't…out of lives are we?" Peach asks timidly. Thor laughs again.
"No, you might be the first Midgardians not brought here on the wings of a Valkyrie."
"This is where Vikings go when they die right?" Beatrice asks.
"Only those who die in battle." Indy corrects.
"HA! Both of you are wrong!" Thor laughs. He gestures around.
"Cast your sight before these brave men! These are the Einherjar! Brave warriors personally chosen by Odin." He snorts impatiently. "My father being the smug fool he is knows that those with the warrior spirit belong to me and Tyr. Yet he hordes the mightiest of the fallen here in his halls so that they may one day join him on the day of Ragnarök."
He perks back up.
"But these men here, these are my followers! For you this is Bilskirnir! My own hall within Valhalla!"
"You have halls within your halls?" Beatrice asks.
"Exactly!" Boom Thor. "Feast your eyes upon there glory! Normally such a splendid sight would be forbid to the eyes of living men. But your own Chief God sought to change that."
The three exchange a look
"Conner." Indy says.
"The very same." Cries Thor. "He offered Odin knowledge of beyond the branches of the Yggdrasil if the Allfather let his contestants into these halls."
"Well I'm glad he did." Peach says, looking relieved. "It's nice to socialize with some friendly faces again."
Thor chuckles. "We do more than just socialize here in Valhalla, Fraujaz. YOU THERE!"
He gestures with his hammer to a face in the crowd. The group pushes them forward. The Einherjar standing before them is a brown-haired man with pale skin and pale eyes. He sways unevenly on his feet, obviously drunk. His tunic has come loose over his right shoulder and there's beer down it's front. He laughs vacantly.
"What's your name!?" Commands the God of Thunder.
"Troels!" Hiccups the Einherjar. Thor laughs approvingly.
"Very good."
He brandishes his hammer at the man.
"All the gold in the Abbey of Kell says you can't stop my precious Mjölnir Troels!"
"Make it ten abbeys worth!"
"Deal!" Thor booms.
The other hall goers step away from Troels, giving the man a wide berth. Thor smirks at the three contestants, then throws his hammer with all his divine might. The holy object reaches Troels and he explodes into a mist of gore and viscera.
Peach shrieks in horror. Beatrice flinches back violently. Indy however simply takes in the scene with a look of begrudging amusement.
Thor roars with laughter.
"Great aren't they! And don't you worry about the mess! He'll be back together good as new in time for the evening."
"You mean he'll respawn?" Peach asks shakily.
"One way of putting it." Thor says. He smirks at her. "It's the afterlife! They don't have anywhere else to be so when they die they come right back here. Spend all their days fighting and killing each other these Einherjar. Here!"
He grabs a sword from a woman siting close to him and tosses it to Peach.
"Lob a couple of these folks heads off won't you? It's great fun!"
Peach's face floods with revolution and horror. "I can't do that!" She squeaks.
"Sure you can!" Thor insists. "Since you're still living the Einharjar have been warned not to touch you, but that doesn't mean you can't carve a bloody path through them."
The Einherjar nod enthusiastically
"Is that the challenge here?" Peach asks mortified.
Thor lowers the giant horn of beer someone had just passed him.
"No, it's just for fun!"
"What is the challenge then?" Beatrice asks.
"Same one you people always have." Thor insists.
He gestures out towards the hall.
"Valhalla runs the length of five hundred and forty doors so broad eight hundred men can pass through simultaneously. We are at one end. Odin Allfather waits at the other. He will take the first two of you that arrive onward."
Indy furrows his brow.
"By hundred you mean the old-germanic long hundred?"
"Of course." Thor insists.
Indy runs through the math quickly.
"That's 191 miles!" He says perturbed. "We'll be running us days!"
Thor scoffs. "You're not on Midgard. The realm belongs to Odin's whim, and knowing the old fool I don't think he'll want to be waiting that long."
"So, it's a race to the end?" Beatrice clarifies.
Thor nods. "That's right."
"To the finale?" Peach asks.
"Yes, yes."
"And we're really safe in here?" Indy says.
"Odin wouldn't be much of a host if you weren't."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"And we start?"
"Whenever you please."
"Alright."
Indy takes a deep breathe.
"How do we want to do this?" Beatrice asks.
Indy pauses for a moment to consider their prospects.
"Well..." He says slowly. "Considering it just worked with Lenny, I'd say we just go for it."
"Are you sure?" Peach asks.
"I think. Count of three, we run and whoever makes it makes it. No hard feelings. This game's gone on long enough, so it's not worth dragging it out further. If we just get through this round without taking anything personally, we'll be done. Can you ladies promise me that?"
He turns to find Beatrice and Peach have disappears.
"Ladies?"
"They just left." Thor informs him.
Indy swerves around again to see his fellow contestants sprinting off into the distance.
"Girls? GIRLS?! WAIT!"
He gets up in panic and chases after them. Thor laughs merrily and waves him off.
"Best of luck to you all!"
…
Vikings and Valkyries alike pause to stare as the two girls rush past them. Peach dashing effortless a few steps ahead of Beatrice.
"I forget how hard it is to run in this thing." Beatrice pants, pulling at the hem of her old turquoise dress. "How are you doing this in a ballgown?"
She eyes Peach incredulously.
"And heels!?"
Peach laughs triumphantly.
"My White Magic is back!" She sings extatically.
Beatrice smiles and rolls her eyes.
There's a loud crack and something pulls her feet out from under her. Getting up quickly she sees Indy shove past her, recoiling his whip.
"Hey!"
She springs back onto her feet and runs after him.
"That wasn't very nice."
"Neither was leaving me behind." Indy says.
"You said go so we went."
"I said go on three!"
"Oh well."
A large group of Einherjar walks in front of them carrying a roast boar. Forcing them to squeeze past awkwardly. Beatrice manages to get through slightly quicker, giving her the lead.
"Those offers you made to be eliminated aren't still valid are they?" Indy demands.
"Those were before I actually had a shot at winning." Beatrice admits.
"Third place isn't bad."
"That's the spirit Jones."
Indy laughs.
"You were a good competitor kid. I'm gonna miss you."
"I'll be sure to think of you during the finale." Beatrice puffs.
"You were a little rough around the edges to start, but in the end I think we made a good team."
"True, but you can't dwell on the past."
Indy shoves past her.
"Couldn't agree more kid!"
He throws down a weapon rack in front of her to block her way. Beatrice shakes her head and smiles good naturally.
…
An hour later Indy's gained a sizable lead over Beatrice, though Peach is still far ahead of him.
His head aches, his heart throbs and there's a stitch in his side that seemed to have settled in permanently. None of that matters though. He can ignore the protests of his body for the time being. He's pushed it further before. He only has to last a little longer anyway, until it'll be over.
The thought's been dancing through his mind since they arrived but he still hasn't truly come to terms with it yet. The game's almost over. Just this, then another challenge and they've made it. The light at the end of the tunnel. No more aimless death marches through the multiverse, no fretting over the well being of a party destine to dwindle, no more being at the mercy of space gangsters and chaos gods, no more being strained in alien landscapes for months on end. He had finally made it through to the end, and now he even had a chance of winning. To be honest the thought of doing so hadn't crossed his mind in months. He had been so preoccupied with survival that he never really had time to think about a prize. But now he could see it clearly. A million dollars. No. ten million dollars. That'd be a hell of a payday. Pair that with his knowledge of the future and which companies to invest in and he could end up a very wealthy man. Maybe even start his own museum, or found a whole group of like-minded adventure archeologist. Secure the greatest treasures the world's ever seen and make sure they're only ever used for the good of all man kind.
Still, he had to admit, even all that wouldn't compare to the wonders he had seen on this journey. Wizard castles, distant kingdoms in distant planes of existence, the technological marvels of the 21st century and beyond, outer space, other planets, Atlantis! Now look where he was! In the halls of Valhalla. And they were grander than any scholar in his time would have dreamt.
"You there! Have time for a drink with a king?" A Einherjar calls from the benches.
"Can't now!" Indy shouts. He turns to look at the stranger and stops.
"Hang on. You're not-"
"Eric Bloodaxe! Yes!" Booms the Viking proudly. He gestures the woman beside him. "And this is my daughter, Ragnhild Eriksdotter."
The woman waves. Indy stares dumbfounded at both of them.
"You were the last pagan king of the Danelaw." He tells the Viking king.
"I was!" Booms Bloodaxe proudly.
"One moment!"
Indy opens his hammerspace and hastily sorts through it pulling out a pen and notebook.
"The historical records are unclear. If you could enlighten me on the some of the circumstances of the events of your later life, your death, the second loss of your crown. If you could help a professor out for moment all of academia would benefit."
"Oh those are great stories!" Eric laughs. "If you want the reasons I'll tell you! It's all because-"
Indy suddenly glances backwards, catching a glimpse of Beatrice in the distance.
"I second thought I'll have to get back to you on that."
He makes a run for it, charging back into the crowd of Einherjar blindly.
He runs for about ten minutes before crashing into a burley figure in a fur lined tunic.
"Who dares interrupt the nightly feastings of Sigurd!?" The figure thunders.
Indy begins to protest. "You could have moved-" He pauses. "Sigurd? As in Siegfried? As in the mythical Siegfried?"
"The very same!" boasts the famed Germanic hero. "Always happy to see people still recognise me."
Indy gives him a weary look. "Well… In my time you have quite the dedicated following actually…" He clears his throat. "I'll admit whenever we run into each other, we don't exactly see eye to eye."
Siegfried laughs knowingly.
"Yes. I'm familiar with those so called 'Aryans'." The hero spits on the floor. "Cowardly weak bodied swine. No true Norseman can stand those self-righteous filth isn't that right boys!?"
The Einherjar in earshot jeer and roar with disproval. Siegfried scowls "The way they misrepresent me my fellow heroes here in Asgard make me sick."
Indy's eyes light up enthusiastically. "Yes. Yes! Exactly! I've been saying that for years! The Nazis don't know a thing about Germanic Paganism. Saying modern German Esoteric beliefs are accurate is like assuming modern 20th century Germans are completely synonymous with their Iron age ancestors."
Siegfried smiles. "Would you like hear how things really were back then? I have many lengthy stories."
Indy glances over his shoulder wearily.
"Can you abbreviate some of them?"
Siegfried laughs. "That wouldn't do them justice."
Indy sighs and pushes past the hero.
"You have to save them for another time then."
Siegfried calls after him surprised. "Next time? When will I see you again!?"
Indy ignores him, trying to pick up speed again. He's sat still to long. He can see Beatrice fast approaching out of the corner of his eye. The girl looks tired but determined.
"Don't you ever take a break!?" He shouts at her.
"I didn't get this far just to give up!" She counters.
Indy grumbles to himself. In truth while they had agreed to not take anything personally…Beatrice's competitiveness was starting to bother him. Or more specifically the prospect of losing was. He needs to speed up. Get another lead over her. But it's getting harder and harder to ignore the priceless historical knowledge surrounding them.
Beatrice is besides him now. Her checks flushed red with exertion.
"Maybe if we catch up to Peach we could set some sort of time out for a hour. Give us a chance to catch our breath." He offers her.
Beatrice frowns. "I thought you wanted to get through this as quickly as possible?"
"That was before I really had a chance to take in the surroundings. We're rushing through things men in my field would kill to get a scrap of."
"You said run so I'm running."
"I may have been to quick to make a call back there. Besides…" He gets a proper look at her and frowns. "You look like you need a break."
"I'm fine." Beatrice puffs. Beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. "What about you?"
"I'm not out just yet." Indy insists.
He summons an enough energy to overtake her. She speeds up and rushes past him again. They go back and forth like this several times. Their legs moving faster, the stitch in his side screaming louder.
Then, slowly and horribly, she passes him a final time and he finds he doesn't have the speed to pass her again.
The strength in body wins out and he slows to crawl. Doubled over in exhaustion. Beatrice gives him an apologetic look then dashes away.
He watches her go disappointedly. If he had the breath for a long drawn out sigh he'd be happy to give one right about now.
"…Dammit."
"That does look regrettable. I apologize."
Another Norse god is smiling down from the table at him sympathetically. He's a blonde figure dressed similarly to the Einherjar (Tunic, cape, boots, belt and sword.) though he also wears a winged helmet made of gold. Indy can tell he's a god because he seems slightly larger and grander than the simple mortals surrounding him. Much like Athena used to.
Indy squints at the finger.
"You're Baldr?"
"Freyr." Corrects the god.
"Of course." Indy says casting his eyes towards a giantess sitting next to the god. "I should have known by your wife."
Freyr chuckles.
"I see you've heard of my lovely wife Gerðr." He gestures to three figures seated at the other side of him. "And these are my servants, Skírnir, Byggvir and Beyla."
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance." Indy says, a little more distractedly than he normally would when speaking to the divine.
"I was watching you and that young friend of yours struggling to gain the upper hand. You put it a commendable effort, but it seems it wasn't enough." Freyr laughs amicably. "You have my sympathies."
"It is was what it is." Indy says a little bitterly. "Still, I made it this far, survived everything up until now, it'd be a shame if after it all I get kicked off this damn show because the girls are younger and healthier."
"That must be discouraging." Skírnir muses.
"Ah, it's just part of getting old. You know how it is." Indy pauses. "Or not."
Freyr laughs again.
"We Aenir aren't immortal you know. Though we are much stronger than you Midgardians, we still have our limit. It is a shame I can't lend you something. My magic ship would certainly help but…" He chuckles. "A banquet hall is not the place for it."
Indy contemplates something.
"Your servants couldn't carry me could they?"
"Not to the end, that'd be cheating."
Indy smiles. And points to the ceiling.
"What about up there?"
…
High above the long tables. Freyr's servant woman Beyla carefully places Indy atop one of the golden chandeliers.
"Are you sure this is what you desire?" She asks him.
"I think so." Indy says. "I've got the beginnings of a plan that might give me a better route." He looks down. "Or avoid the crowds at least."
Beyla nods.
"It is busy place down there. Truth be told if I was a mortal I'd be much happier to sow the fields of the Fólkvangr after life than fight in these crowded halls."
"Hey, there's some interesting people down there." Indy points out. "That's part of what makes it so distracting." He draws in a long breath resolutely. "Tell your master thanks for the help."
"He was happy to oblige, as was I." Beyla smiles. "They've been talking at length of you and your friends travels here in Valhalla ever since your host first spoke of them. They are remarkable. I could see Odin recruiting you back to these halls when your life is over."
Indy chuckles to himself. "That's an honour. But I think Heaven and Elysium have a better claim to me. Might even have my atman ascend to a state of heavenly moksha, depending on how much Shiva appreciates what I did for him back in '35."
"You think you're a good enough man for all those places?" The Vanir maiden asks him. Indy's taken aback.
"I hope so." He says honestly. "Do you… not think so?"
Beyla laughs. "You are a very brave and selfless man Doctor Jones. Any afterlife we'll be lucky to have you."
And she flutters away, leaving Indy far more assured in himself than he's been in a long while.
…
Far ahead of the others Peach bounds merrily down the hall, dodging the bustling crowds of warriors with ease, her heart all a flutter.
Home! Whatever happened to her next she'd be there soon. Back to the familiar. To her castle she loved and her precious toads that adore her. How excited they always are to see her return. The poor things must be worried half to death by now. Won't they be glad to see her back where she belongs after so many months missing. She's never been away this long before. Mario's always seen to that.
Mario! She'd be seeing him again as well. And his brother, Luigi, as well as Daisy and Toadsworth, and all her friends.
The thought of them all keeps her running. Her heart yearning for her kingdom. She had been happy there, but now, having seen the wider world beyond she couldn't picture a better sight than her home.
A faint wheezing begins to gather behind her, jolting her from her daydreaming. She looks to see Beatrice gaining on her.
"Oh hello there Beatrice I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to see you again."
Beatrice rasps something unintelligible in reply. The poor girl looks close to collapsing.
Peach frowns.
"Beatrice are you alright?"
"Never better." The girl pants. "Keep running. I need to beat you fair and square."
"Are you sure you wouldn't like us to take a break?"
"No. What is with you people and asking that? I'm fine!"
Peach pauses and puts a hand on Beatrice's shoulder. She nearly collapses to the ground before Peach catches her.
"Really Beatrice. I don't mind slowing down to make things fair. I have been using my magic more than I should I'm sorry. I've just been so glad to have it again I've gotten a little carried away."
"Don't apologize." Beatrice says, standing up collecting herself somewhat. "You're not cheating if you using something that's part of you. Now keep going already."
Peach walks over to the nearest bench and sits down.
"We'll continue racing when Indy's arrived. Now let's see if they have tea in the meanwhile."
She pats the seat next to hers.
Beatrice sits down and catches her breath. When she has it back, she sighs.
"Peach listen… You don't have to keep looking out for me."
Peach gives her a funny look. She makes to reply when suddenly Beatrice looks around distractedly.
"Beatrice? What's the matter?"
Beatrice screws up her face. "What are they looking at?"
Peach turns to see some of the Einherjar behind them jabbering excitedly in Old Norse and pointing upward. Both girls crane their necks up and gasp.
Far above them, barely eligible from the glare of candlelight reflected in thousands of golden shields is Indy. Sprinting unimpeded across a catwalk of closely bundled chandeliers.
Peach laughs.
"Oh, what a smart idea."
"Peach he's about to overtake us." Beatrice says with a note of concern.
"Well we won't let him get to far ahead."
"I don't know he looks like he's going pretty fast."
"Can you blame him? He's almost at Odin. I was eager to meet him too my first time." A nearby Viking comments causally.
The Peach and Beatrice go rigid.
"We're close to the end?" Beatrice asks.
"Oh yes. Very." The Viking says. "I'd be quick if I wanted to catch your friend up there."
The two girls stare at each other. Peach grins. Beatrice laughs weakly. Then they both bolt out of their seats like they had burst into flames.
…
From his lofty vantage point he can see the golden doors at the end of the hall, way off in the distance.
Indy allows himself a moment of pride. His father had always accused him of not planning things out ahead of time. And that was true, he didn't. But it made him damn good at thinking on his feet, and it looked like he was about to out play a problem yet again.
Something catches his eye below. It's Peach. Even from up here her fluffy pink ballgown's distinct against a sea of colorful tunics and earth tones. She looks like she's moving fast and he can make out Beatrice close behind her.
"Damn, I thought I had a bigger lead."
He sighs. And reaches for the nearest rope.
…
"Beatrice I'm impressed you're keeping up." Peach calls back to her fellow contestant. The girl seems to have hit her second wind.
"Don't worry about me, worry about Indy!" Beatrice shouts.
"Where is he now?"
"DUCK!" Calls a voice from above.
Peach yelps and barely dives out of the way in time as Indy comes swinging down on a falling chandelier.
He crashes into the table in front of them (The locals seem more amused than annoyed) and hits the ground running.
"Sorry ladies!" He calls back. "Be nice to stay and chat but I've got an interview with a chief deity!"
It's not long at all before Peach is back up and at his heels.
"That was very impressive!"
"Thanks Princess. I'll make sure to think of you during the finale."
"We'll see about that!"
She overtakes him. Indy laughs in surprise. He stops abruptly when Beatrice passes him as well.
Indy pushes himself to go faster, taking the lead again. Then Beatrice passes him, he passes her, Peach passes them both. The three of them neck in neck.
…
At the very end of the great hall, an old man sits in an arm chair, smoking his pipe. His beard long and white. His body wrapped in a grey cloak. His hand wrapped firmly over a golden spear. His expression hidden in the shadow on a wide brimmed hat. A beautiful older goddess stands behind him. Behind him more gods are gathered. Some of them shuffle awkwardly. A burly god with a brown beard and a missing hand grumbles.
"They should be here by now."
"Patience Tyr." The Man. "They will arrive when I have foreseen."
Not a moment after he's spoken a figure rushes forward. Breathlessly she sets her eyes on the man.
"You are Odin I presume?"
"I am." States the old man. "And you?"
The figure curtseys.
"Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom." Peach says.
Odin tilts his head up, revealing a leather eye patch over his right eye. He smiles knowingly.
"I presumed as much your majesty. Well done. Now let's see who will be accompanying you."
They turn as another figure emerges from the crowds of happy Einherjar behind them. A wave of emotions flows over Peach.
It's Beatrice.
The girl winded but deeply relived. She sets eyes on Odin.
"I did it." She says to no one and every one. "I made it."
"Nicely done kid."
Indy appeared behind her arms folded. Regarding both girls fondly. They both return his gaze with immense sympathy.
He turns to Odin and like Peach bows deeply. Beatrice takes his cue and those the same.
"Odin, Allfather." Indy says. "It is an honour to stand before you."
"The feeling is more than mutual." Odin says. "I have been told of your exploits travelers. Of the many monsters slain and wonders beheld on your journey. The three of you have fought validly and shown all of what we gods seek in mortal men. I am proud to have you within my halls."
"Thank you, sir." Indy says humbly.
Somewhere behind the old god they hear a familiar laugh.
"Thank you sir? Sir? That's how you talk the Odin? Christ's sake he's a pagan warrior god not the head lawyer of your company's law firm."
Despite everything they'd been through. All the changes, all the growth, the loss, the hardship. Nothing about him changed. Their old host saunters forward as calmly and assuredly the same we he had all those months ago, when challenges lasted a day and there was still warmth, safety, and security in their lives.
Conner O'Gleeson smirks broadly at them, and gives them each a friendly point from his right index finger.
"Hey there studs. Glad you finally made it to the party. Really took your sweet time too, I was wondering when you were gonna show up."
He chuckles. The three contestants don't share the gesture. Indy and Beatrice are glaring at him silently and all the warmth seems to have drained from Peach's face.
Conner jerks slightly like a computer given new input. He spreads his arms and let's he's eyes dart between the three of them. Searching for a connection.
"I said I'd be here at the end and…. Well… here we here. Hooray."
He waves his hands with faux-excitement. More so a prompt than a genuine display of emotion.
His old contestants don't take the bait.
"Well don't everyone get excited at once. Alright? I know you were all clamoring to see old Conner again. Don't know why you wouldn't be."
He beams at them. Indy's nostrils flare.
Conner laughs awkwardly and swings his arms close. He clasps his arms and looks at them all diplomatically.
"I know…" He says slowly. "That I sent you to some places that aren't exactly well... known for their hospitality per say. But don't look at me like I'm your estranged father thinking he can just waltz in your life again after stepping out on mom to 'buy cigarettes" seven years ago. I told you back in Hogwarts before I left, baring some scattered exceptions everything was part of the plan."
Indy scowls. "Yeah? What about-"
"Except for them!" Conner interrupts. "Rick and Markus were… my fault. And I'm sorry."
He gives them an uncharacteristically sincere look.
"I'm sorry."
Peach exhausts softly and the tension flows out of her.
"Thank you."
"We can talk more about this later, I promise." Conner perks back up. "Now enough long faces already! People will start mistaking you for horses. Time to focus on the here and now. Ladies go ahead and get excited because you did it! You made it to the finale! Yeah! Up top!"
He offers them high ten. Peach giggles and accept, Beatrice rolls her eyes humouredly and dose the same.
"Alright! That's more like it! Seriously feel good about yourselves. You've earned it. You both look great by the way, I hope you don't mind I set you back to your original outfits last episode.
"That was you?" Beatrice asks, surprised.
"Like I said, I am, occasionally well in control of things." Conner insists. "No, but seriously, though, your little apocalypse outfits were cute, but I figured it be best to get you guys recognizable for the all the paparazzi back home."
"Home?" Peach asks. "Whose home?"
"Mine." Conner says. "The finale's back where it all begin! Los Angeles! We're going full circle on this son of a bitch." He places a hand on each girl's shoulder then nods to Odin. "Odie It's the fun catching up but me these knuckleheads got to get a move on back to Midgard."
"Heimdall will grant you to the Bifrost." Odin says.
"That's alright we'll take my ship." He turns to Indy. "Doctor Jones, you're more than welcome to catch a ride back with us."
Indy chuckles.
"Actually Conner. I think I'll stay away. There's a few people we passed I'd let to get to better."
Conner smirks. "I don't blame you. Some of those Valkyries are pretty hot. Bow chicka wow wow!"
He punctuates the remark with a couple thrusts of his hips.
Indy sighs deeply and buries his face in his hand.
"All this time I never missed you O'Gleeson."
Conner laughs and pats Indy on the back.
"I'll pick you up once I've dropped these two off tiger."
"Gee. Thanks." Indy says sarcastically.
"Guess this is goodbye." Beatrice says.
Indy scratches the back of neck.
"Guess so huh?"
Beatrice puffs out her checks.
"It's weird I never really saw myself outlasting you. We never would have got through this without you."
Indy scoffs.
"That's not true."
"It is." Peach insists. "You're one of the bravest leader I've ever had the pleasure to meet Doctor Jones. The Mushroom Kingdom will forever be in your debt for protecting it's princess."
Indy smiles.
"I'm just glad we made it out in one piece."
He shakes hands with both of them.
"Girls, it's been the ride of a lifetime. Let's never do it again."
The three of them share a laugh. Beatrice blushes.
"I'm really gonna miss you Indy."
"I thought you hated everyone on our team?" Indy smirks.
"I say a lot of stupid things." Beatrice says.
Indy nudges her shoulder. "Look after yourself kid." He nods to Peach. "You too your Majesty."
Peach smiles. "Thank you."
Conner throws open the vast open doors behind them and ushers them through. Indy gives them one last tip of the hat, then turns and disappears in the throngs of Einherjar.
Outside of Valhalla, the realm of Asgard is awash with unearthly beauty. The trees and fields and mountains all carry a sort of dreamlike perfection about them. The sky is bright and shrouded in rainbows, and in the far distance the branches of a massive heavenly tree can be made out faintly. Beatrice turns to glance back at the great golden hall they just left and raises and eyebrow.
"Conner?"
"Mm hm?"
"What are those?"
Conner gives a brief glance behind them at the two massive beasts standing atop the roof of Valhalla.
"Oh them. That's Eikþyrnir and Heiðrún the heavenly the stag and goat. Heiðrún's utters supplies mead for the Einherjar and Eikþyrnir… Who knows. Odin wasn't clear on what he does. Maybe he's just here for the atmosphere."
He leads them down an ornate pathway.
"You know. We were kind of joking back on Camazotz that'd you take us somewhere like this." Beatrice says.
"I know. I hear everything you people say." Conner tells them. "Also, If I recall correctly you we're joking about me sending you to Hell. Which for the record I'd never even consider doing to you poor people. What kind of monster do take me for?"
"You sent us to some very cruel places." Peach says.
"Hence why I figure I'd give you somewhere nice to end things off at. And I gave you a couple fun ones before that. Princess I know you certainly enjoyed Wonka's Factory, didn't you?"
Peach laughs guilty.
"Yes… I supposed."
"Ah, Perfect, knew I parked somewhere around here."
They round the corner of a mountain and another old sight greets them. Conner's sleek blue oddball of a starship is parked on a large plaza. Like it's master the ship looks just as they remembered it. Right down to its giant wax lip shaped cockpit.
"Never thought you'd see it again did you?" Conner asks the two finalists.
Both girls simply shake their heads.
They board the ship through it's seldom used airlock.
Yerdey the Fiseng is standing in the hallway, as well as more surprisingly two of their former contestants, Perky and Roy. The mermaid girl back in a fishbowl. She gasps when the finalists walk in.
"Hey look boss! It's that Beatrice girl again. She made it!"
"Yeah wow. Guess everyone else was way lamer than I thought." Yerdey says, surprised.
Roy smirks. "Bringing a weak contestant to the end is a strategy."
"Oh yeah. How'd that work out for you Brown?"
"Better than it did for your minion Squid."
"HEY!" Perky cries.
"Wow. Okay. Rude." Yerdey Deadpans.
"What are you all doing here?" Peach asks.
"Well I technically work here. And she technically works for me." Yerdey says, gesturing first to himself then Perky.
"And Roy's just here for the lift home." Conner explains giving the Brit an impatient look. "I left him with Aslan because I figured he could use some humbling. Instead, I get a letter a few months later claiming that he somehow wore through the limitless patience of an all-loving god. So I had to come pick him up."
"He tried arguing that the entire world didn't revolve around me, so clearly he was delusional." Roy explains folding his arms confidently. Behind him Perky mimes hanging herself with a noose. Yerdey turns to Conner.
"So asking for a friend, instead of taking him home, could we just like… I don't know, abandon him somewhere unpleasant like a Black Hole or Greenland?"
"No." Conner says.
"But it'd be really funny." Yerdey protests.
"Maybe." Conner relents. "We'll discus this later. In the meantime, Perky go lock Roy away somewhere so we don't have to deal with him."
The mermaid salutes obediently then drags Roy off down the hall. Conner leads the other in to the cockpit. Conner's two servants Jeffrey Sawicki the Fake Italian and Jeremy the amorphous blob monster are already at the controls. Jeremy gurgles excitedly.
"I know Sugarbear, we've got contestants again!" Conner beams. He gestures to the creature. "You girls remember Jeremy of course. As well as this douchebag." He jerks his head towards Jeffrey.
"Welcome back." Jeffrey says, in what for him is a friendly tone. Peach gives him a polite smile.
"Thank you Jeffrey. It's very nice to be back."
"Where's those other two? Starmunch and the Chewie guy or what ever they're names were?" Beatrice asks.
"Peter and Chewbacca are over in LA helping with the finale." Conner explains. "Once this all wrapped up they're contracts will be over and It'll just be me Jeremy again."
"And Jeffrey?" Peach asks. Conner scoffs
"God no! You crazy!? I don't hate myself enough to travel extensively with the him. He works at the studio as a plumber or something, quite frankly I'm not sure."
"I'm your associate producer. I do various tasks assigned to me."
"Yes, riveting. You can see why I don't normally take him out in public." He pats the Jeremy on the back. "Instead, normally it's just me and the big guy here. Voyaging the distance corners of causality and having guy time amongst the stars."
Jeremy gurgles.
"No. You're right Jeremy. I'm selling everyone else short. It was, actually very kind to have some company around here for once. I think I'm really gonna miss it." He throws his hands up again. "God. I can't believe we're here at the finale already. Who would've thunk it'd come so quick, and I'd be here with you two."
He turns to the girls.
"I mean seriously. Of all the twenty-seven people on this show. If you had asked me that first day In Los Santos who I thought were going make it to the finals, never would I have guessed the two of you would outlast everyone else. I mean, truly ladies I don't mean to offend, but if I were a betting man, I would be very, very broke."
Beatrice gives him a look of disproval. "Wow. Thanks. Good to know you believed in us.."
"I'm just saying you weren't my first picks."
"Okay! Great. We get it. There's a lot of people who deserve to be here more than me. I mean us!"
She locks eyes with Peach for a moment then looks away in embarrassment.
Conner sighs wistfully.
"Look." He says, switching to a more sincere tone. "I know I joke a lot but if you want the honest to god truth I am… incalculably proud of both of you for making it this far. And you both should be truly, truly proud of yourselves too."
He clears his throat and adjust his tie, as if shifting back into his usual persona.
"So um. We've got a couple hours of flight time before we make it back to California. I recommend you guys try and get some rest. You'll need your strength for the finale. Please make yourselves at home, my ship is your ship of course. You know where to find your barracks."
"Cool." Beatrice says indifferently. And she walks out of the cockpit. Peach lingers for a moment, locking eyes with Conner.
"Mr Conner O'Gleeson . Thank you for looking after us. You are a strange but very friendly host. I enjoyed being your contestant."
Conner gives her a bitter sweet smile.
"That's kinder than I deserve Princess. But thank you."
She leaves and he exhales sharply.
"It really is you know." Yerdey comments. "If she ever finds out what you did, she won't be happy."
Conner gives him a look. "You're just as involved in this as I am."
"Lies and slander." Yerdey insists. "Nothing's ever my fault. My ship was sabotaged internally!"
"Yeah! Sure it was." Conner snarks. Collapsing into his captain's chair.
"You will have to tell her one day." Jeffrey says causally, fiddling with the controls. "You owe her that."
Conner sighs deeply.
"I know." He says wearily. "But not today. Today's a happy day. Let's not ruin it."
…
The lounge between their old barracks is quiet as Peach strolls through it, and yet tt felt so terribly empty without all her old fellow contestants lingering nearby. There was a tangible distinction there. An empty room with people just behind closed doors felt entirely different from an empty room in an empty building.
She glances towards the old Fact Hunter's barracks to her left. She had never been in there herself, but Indy, Lenny, Doof, Rick and Beatrice had regaled her of its cluttered interior. A navigational minefield where one had to contend with a wandering Arthropleura and all the machines Rick and Doofenshmirtz had left about after turning Lenny into a gem. She wondered what had become of those machines. She would go inside to check but Beatrice had the door closed. She had taken Conner's advice and returned one last time to her old bed to nap.
The Fact Hunter's had always seemed such a monolithic force. Ever-present and never truly conquerable much like the Koopas where back home. They had always had so many contestants.
Now all that was left of them was Beatrice.
She turns to the right side of the lounge. To the open door on the opposite wall leading to the old Short N Spunky barrack. She had heard horror stories of that room too. Something about Amethyst and Yao turning it into a dimly lit den of garbage, snack foods and video games. Back when they were all living here together she had never had the courage to investigate those claims. Now at least she could see Conner (Or more likely one of the staff) had cleaned the room.
The Short N Spunky. They had been through so much together.
Now they were all gone.
An entrancing smell drifts under her nose. She spots a tray of Brownies on a small table off to the side with a note encouraging her to help her self.
She takes two graciously.
As she's looking for the perfect couch to sit. They hit a patch of turbulence. Nothing she isn't used to; it happened all the time back in the days they were flying around the space between worlds. As the room trembles, the light fixture above her flickers, causing her to look up. She spots something. High up on the walls they're still a few dark scuff marks. She can't help but laugh as the memory of how they got there comes back to her.
That was the day after Rodney House challenge that some of the contestants from Total Drama Cruise had shown up. Barging in as forcefully as one of Bowser's airships and thrashing around in a strange machine. That had been the first they had learned there were others out there in the vastness of reality playing the same game as they were. Since they she had meet two more casts as well, those of Infinite 2 and Everything.
She remembered clearly those few day the Infinite crew had come to visit them in Hogwarts. Bringing with them almost as many worries as they had. All sorts of drama about evil teammates and friends obsessed with strange books and even Waluigi coming to her one evening, pouring his heart out over some romantic advice. She still scarcely believed that last one had really happened.
Where were those other casts now she wondered? Had they finished their own games yet? Surely with how many months it had been some of they must have. Cruise for certain was done by now. There had only been five contestants left when they had visited, it couldn't have run much longer after that. Unless of course its cast had fallen to the same fate hers had. Wandering across strange worlds for months on end. She hoped that wasn't the case.
She casts her glance down away from the ceiling and back down to her brownies. Here she was daydreaming while they were getting cold. She'd have to make up her mind soon and find somewhere to eat them before they're hard as a rock. And what a waste that would be. They were such pretty looking brownies too. Jeremy (For he had surely baked them) had even decorated them with little frosty pictures of crowns and bluebirds.
Just like that she's back in another memory. Waking up early and sneaking over to the kitchen on the day of the merge. Baking cupcakes in secret and presenting them to Athena and Markus.
Her eyes flash towards the door between the Fact Hunters and the Shorty Squad's barracks. The one that led to the room her own team had lived in so, so very long ago.
Athena and Markus. They had been like family. She wasn't sure when she'd see one again. And the other was lost forever.
Tears begin to well in her eyes. She wipes them away and puts down her brownies. Suddenly not hungry.
This place held so many memories. They didn't feel whole without everyone. After this was over they'd stay in touch wouldn't they? She couldn't imagine otherwise. All this change… It was so different from home, where everything stayed the same and even Bowser's army hauling her away had become just a regular annoyance.
She makes to leave and go find somewhere else to pass the rest of the flight. She takes a step towards the door and a sharp click of something hard comes from beneath her heel.
She looks down and picks something up off the floor. It's a little handheld machine, a Gameboy Advanced apparently judging by the name on the front. Probably one of Lenny's.
She clicks the power button. With a little musical note the device boots on and she gasps.
An old blocky title screen has appeared. SUPER MARIO BROS. 1985 Nintendo. It reads.
So here it was. The fabled game. And there in little squares of green, red, yellow was a picture of Mario.
She presses a button. The screen briefly flashes World 1-1 then Mario returns. Another button press and the little Mario moves right through a very rudimentary landscape that may or may not have supposed to have been her homeland. Slowly she gets a hand of the controls enough to beat the level. Then the next. And the next after that and so on.
She lowers herself onto the nearest ottoman and submits fully to the game. Siting there transfixed over the course of a few hours as world after world is beaten. Tearing down the flags and storming the castles of the invading Koopas as this pretend version of her friend saves this pretend version of her kingdom. Level after level she pushes through…
Waiting.
World 8-4. Bowser's castle is rendered as a few scant blocks of grey stone against a black background. There're a few enemies, then she's face to face with Bowser himself. She dispatches him with a few bursts of flame from a fire flower she picked up and he flips upside down and drops off the screen. Mario walks past where he stood and enters the door he had been guarding.
The room beyond nothing but a little grey box, completely empty but for a little figure of red and white wearing a little orange crown.
Her.
White text appears above them.
Thank you, Mario! Your quest is over. We present you a new quest. Push button B to select a world
She heeds her own advice and presses B. The screen blinks then she's back at the title.
So that was it. That was what they saw her as. Peter. Lenny. Markus.
To their whole world that's how she had begun.
A tiny boxy figure in a dark room.
She could remember what it had been like the first time Bowser had taken her. They're hadn't been a stone room like that. He had actually pampered her that first time. Brought her all these fancy things and fawned over her. Even back then head over heels in love. When she had been too terrified to reciprocate, he had thrown a tantrum and locked her in cage over a vat of lava, not a featureless room. Although to be fair he really had been defeated by Mario relatively easily. She supposed back then the big brute had underestimated him. Lately he had gotten better at avoiding that. Still, he was defeated every time. Though it was true he did keep managing to kidnap her. Markus's world never believed she could grow beyond her roots.
She clicks off the game and smiles. In the Gameboy's dark screen it's not the other girl's judging eyes, or some pixels made by foreign world staring back at her, but her own assured reflection.
Despite everything, everything she learned, everything others thought she was. She was still her Peachy self.
Someone clears their throat behind her. She finds Beatrice hovering over it.
"What's that?" She asks.
"Oh nothing." Peach says coyly. Beatrice nods.
"Yeah. Cool. Interesting."
She sits downs next to Peach. Her checks puff out again, it was always her tell when she was struggling to find the right thing to say.
"So…" Peach begins, easing the girl into the conversation she seems to be clearly intent on starting. "The finale. It's very exciting isn't it?"
"Uh huh." Beatrice concurs curtly.
"Nice to be back in our old quarters. Did you get some rest for the challenge?"
"No. I couldn't sleep. I was too busy thinking." Beatrice admits.
"Yes?" Peach prompts. "What ever about?"
"Oh you know. I was just thinking..." Beatrice clears her throat as she says quickly. "Iamgunaletuwen."
"What was that?"
"I'm going to let you win."
Peach looks at the girl in surprise.
"What?"
"You deserve this more than I do!" Beatrice blurts out. "You've earned this. I haven't."
"Nonsense Beatrice. That's not true!'
"Yes it is!" The girl insists. "You had this big incredible journey and worked your butt off. Meanwhile everyone knows the only reason I'm here it because I rode other people's coattails the whole the game! And half of them were yours!"
"You've done more than that. I thought you knew that! You said as much to IT."
"Peach let's be real here. The reason I'm here right now instead of Indy is because you let me catch my breath. The only reason I'm even alive is because you risked your life to save me back at Hogwarts."
"What about on Tatooine? Lenny said you were the one that organized me and Indy's rescue."
"Yeah. Because that just when great." Beatrice says impatiently.
"…and afterward you helped me live with my grief."
"You helped me with IT!"
"Beatrice I can't take this money from you, you've earnt it. You have it."
"No!"
"Please Beatrice."
"Peach listen! Don't make this hard! I'm giving this to you."
"I won't accept you forfeiting."
"Yeah? Well neither will I!"
"Well it's a darn shame there's not any sort of unbiased competition you two could compete in this settle this!"
Yerdey's just entered the two. The two girls pause and stare at the little alien.
"I am interrupting something?" He asks. "No? Primo! Conner wants you both back at the cockpit. We're almost at our destination."
"We'll be right there." Peach says.
"Glad to the hear it." Yerdey says sarcastically.
He walks off muttering to himself.
"Peach." Beatrice begins. "I'm in your debt."
Peach exhales then turns to her.
"Why don't we take Yerdey's advice?"
Beatrice goes quiet for a moment.
"Okay." She agrees.
"Who ever wins, wins?"
"No helping each other."
"And the winner keeps the money."
"Deal."
They shake on it.
…
Conner's waiting for them at the airlock. He beams broadly as they walk in.
"Ready ladies?"
"Guess so." Beatrice says with an air of indifference. All the same Peach can't help but notice that the girl's trembling slightly.
Around them the ship rubbles then with a hard thump comes to a stop.
Conner claps his hands together and sighs sentimentally.
"We're back."
"What's that noise?" Beatrice asks.
Through the thick hull of the ship, they can hear a sort of muffled commotion outside. Conner smirks.
"…Be honest. How you girl's feeling? Nervous?" he asks.
"Somewhat yes." Peach admits. Beatrice simply nods. She looks a little green.
"Well don't be. You'll do great, trust me. And if you're still not sure we've got one last little spirit lifter before your challenge."
"What do you mean?" Peach asks curiously.
Conner's grin merely broadens. He opens the door for them and the girl knocks are nearly knocked off their feet by a thunderous noise.
The ship's landed at a busy crossroad in the middle of Hollywood. The entire road before them choked with throngs of people. A crowd of thousands stretches off for what looks like blocks has just erupted into a roar of delight at the sight of them. Wailing and screaming in one joyous voice under a canopy of palm trees.
"I might have organized something of a minor welcome back party for you ladies."
"It's wonderful Conner." Peach beams. Beatrice merely groans in dismay. Conner laughs.
"There's a limo waiting for you a few blocks down. I recommend you take the scenic route over there. There's a couple familiar faces waiting in the crowd I'd hate for you two to miss."
Peach gasps. "Who?"
"See for yourself."
He prompts them down the ship's airstair to the ground, where a red carpet's been laid out for them. The crowd flanking either side of it. Held back by a set of velvet ropes.
Beatrice eyes them unhappily. Peach however smiles and waves confidently. Unlike so much that had happened this game, this was something she was used to.
"Can you believe this people many came out just to see us?" She asks.
"Yeah. It's great." Beatrice says shakily.
"YO! GUYS!"
Peach and Beatrice look over and to their surprise spot a familiar figure in the crowd. Surrounded by several other very familiar faces. Amethyst has reunited with her team.
"That was quick." Beatrice says.
"Yeah it was! Long time no see nerds!"
Peach smiles. "Amethyst you seem like you're well!"
"Better!" Amethyst cries ecstatically. She wraps her arms around Bentley, Tails and Yao. "I got my boys back!"
"The Shorty Squad is back together!" Yao cries triumphantly.
"We're like a family again." Tails says.
"Yeah. I sure am glad to see you jerks." Julie grumbles.
Yao turns around a looks at her like he's just noticed her presence.
"Who are you?"
"I'm your teammate you idiot!"
"Should've lasted longer Julie." Smirks Ramona.
"Like you're one to talk Ms Fourth Out." Julie sneers.
"In my defense I've got this bunch to thank for that." Ramona says gesturing to Amethyst's group.
"There's nothing in the rules of Total Drama against forming an alliance and voting as a group." Bentley argues.
"So quit trying to make us feel bad already." Amethyst says.
Ramona shakes her head, and catches Beatrice's eye. The two share a nod of acknowledgment.
"Hey. Congrats on making it this far."
"Thanks."
"And thanks for looking after Tomoko while she was around."
"That was nothing." Beatrice says modestly. She scans the group. "Is she… around? Or was she too shy to come?"
"BEATRICE!"
A mass of silky black hair comes barreling over the rope and into Beatrice, nearly knocking both of them over.
"I can't believe you made it all the way to the end! You're so lucky! I'm so excited!" Tomoko gushes. Gazing up at Beatrice, her tear-streaked face full of wonder. She brushes some of the hair out of the girl's face.
"Thanks Tomoko. Nice to see you again."
"Are the other teams here?" Peach asks.
"You bet. Your team's just over there." Winry says pointing. Peach curtseys.
"Thank you. Beatrice do you mind?"
"You go ahead I'll catch up." Beatrice insists. Tomoko still chatting the girl's ear off.
Peach breaks away searching the crowd. She finds them easily. Like the other former competitors, they stick out in a crowd.
"Princess!" Fluttershy cries. Flying over to embrace her.
"Oh we we're so worried."
Several opposing emotions pull at Peach's heart as she sees her old team. Lapis and Yae, are smiling modestly at her from the crowd, as well as a strange tiger woman she couldn't remember meeting, carrying Susie Derkins in her arms.
"Good to see you." Lapis says. Her voice as Peach remembered it. Cordial yet reserved. "Glad to see your okay."
"Thank you." Peach says. "I'm happy to be back."
"You're the only one that did."
"Lapis we agreed do be respectful." The tiger woman says.
"Sorry but its hard not to think of them." Lapis says defensively. "They were my friends too."
A flash of concern strikes Peach.
"Is Athena alright?" She asks. "And Janna?"
"From what we've been told they're fine. Just preoccupied setting up new lives for themselves."
"Oh. Yes. They are." Peach says relieved. "Janna's staying in that kind Mr Rodney's house and Athena's the goddess of Atlantis now." She bites her lip. "And Markus…"
"We know." Lapis says.
Yae jerks her head over Fluttershy and Susie. "These two don't. But the others know."
"I'm so sorry Peach." Lapis says, genuine sorrow lingering behind her voice. "I know you guys were close."
Peach goes silent and stares at the ground.
"Princess." The tiger woman says gently. Peach looks up at her. The stranger passes Susie to Lapis then places a paw on her own chest.
"Do you remember who I am?"
"Um."
"There's no need to be embarrassed if you don't. I've been gone since the third episode."
"I'm sorry, but no. Everything about that time is so foggy."
"That's to be expected. You weren't in your right mind. But name is Tigress."
Peach curtseys to her. "It is a pleasure to meet you again Tigress."
"When I competed along side you, you were brash and weak minded. Scatterbrained, impulsive, self absorbed. Then something happened and you woke up from a daze confused who you were. In both states you were an obvious weak link amongst the team. Perfect for elimination. And yet when the time to do so presented itself I took the fall in your place, because my master's have shown me not to judge someone to quickly. For even in the lowliest creature can be a Dragon Warrior. I have seen such things within the Valley of Peace, and I hoped my actions would lead to the same within you."
Master Tigress smiles.
"You haven't disappointed me."
She bows to the princess.
Peach brings her hands to her face, trying to hide the overwhelming emotions threating to spill out of her.
"You're too kind." She chokes out.
"We're very proud your majesty." Fluttershy says.
Lapis smiles. "Markus would be proud."
It's too much. Peach let's out a muffled cry and embraces her team.
…
After many tearful goodbyes and well wishes Beatrice pulls herself away from Tomoko.
She allows herself a deep breath. God bless Tomoko. She loved her dearly but her had forgotten how exhausting she was. This whole day so far had been exhausting so far. Physically and emotionally, it was like roller coaster. Not to say it'd been bad. She had definitely had worse days. If these butterflies in her stomach could just go away, she'd be fine. Unfortunately, they only seemed to be getting stronger with every moment closer they got to the final challenge.
She passes Peach and finds her in the arms of her fellow Flower Girls. The group in the midst of an emotional reunion. No need to interrupt. She looks the other way and something she was half dreading to see catches her eye. Doctor Doofenshmirtz is waving to her, besides him his old nemesis Perry the Platypus, as well his new business partner Willy Wonka the half-crazed industrialist and a teenaged girl dressed in black. Standing nearby are Wednesday Addams, Lenny, Dipper Pines, and an older gentleman she wasn't familiar with that might have been his grandfather.
She sighs and forces herself to walk over. She had been dreading a reunion with her team, but without Roy and Rick it might just be tolerable.
"Hey guys."
"Beatrice the former Bluebird get over here!" Doof cries. Pulling her over to smoother her in a hug.
"Look at you! Making it all the all final two! Perry the Platypus was just saying how happy he was for you weren't you Perry the Platypus?"
"Really? Perry said that?" Beatrice asks skeptically.
"Well you know Perry the Platypus, he's a man of few words. But I'm sure the sentiments still there isn't it Perry the Platypus?"
Perry chitters and gives her a friendly thumbs up.
Beatrice pulls away from Doof and get's an eyeful of him.
"You look good Doc."
"Thank you." Doof says straighten up proudly. He's traded in his white lab coat for a purple tail coat with a matching top hat. Underneath he has on a lilac waistcoat over a pale-yellow dress shirt.
"By the way the partnership is going fabulous! Isn't Willy?"
"Positively absolutely irrefutably wondercrump!" Wonka declares putting his arm around Doof. "Heinz here has the brightest mind for chocolate I've ever seen. Outside my own of course. With those fantastical new inators our production has jumped the moon!"
"It's tripled since the last quarter." Doof proclaims.
"Yes It's truly Swashboggling! But you know doc we've got to keep at it! Your group coming along has opened my humble factory up a to staggering multiverse wide market! Computation will be tough but it'll be a battle with rich rewards don't you know. Now there's an infinite number of worlds to sell candy too. Maybe even two infinites."
Doof taps his chin. "Hmm. You know I bet with a little inatoring we can up production by two infinities."
Wonka laughs. "See now! That's what I like about you Doof. Always a man of solutions!'
Doof shrugs. "I'm a man of many problems. So I come up with many solutions… Of course most of those problems used to be petty annoyances and well… basically my only solution to that was build an evil inator. But you know I'm branching out now."
The teenaged girl nuzzles him affectionally. "I'm just glad you finally gave up evil."
Doof practically squeaks in excitement.
"Oh I almost forgot Beatrice! This is my daughter Vanessa!"
"Hey." Vanesa says causally.
Beatrice waves. "Hi."
"So you're the finalist from my dad's team? That's pretty cool."
"Thanks."
"Dad showed me some of the footage. What was it like making it through every challenge of this thing? It was crazy enough to watch, I can't imagine how cool it was to live through."
"Yeah it was a lot." Beatrice admits. "Lot of real nightmare moments. But I met some really great people so there's that."
Vanessa nods. "Sounds awesome." She smiles to herself. "Maybe next season I should sign up."
"NO!" Beatrice and Doof shout in unison.
"Come on Dad!" Vanessa pouts.
"We'll talk about this later." Doof insists. He turns back Beatrice. "Anyway, enough about me and my family. This is your special day Beatrice!"
"It's alright Doc. I'd rather catch up with you guys."
"No nervous are you?" Lenny asks.
"No. What gave you that idea?" Beatrice says quickly.
Lenny chuckles knowingly.
"Beatrice after everything we've been through, I don't think there's much reason to fear one more challenge."
"Everything we've been through is exactly why I'm scared." Beatrice says.
"Ah, I suppose that's fair." Lenny admits
"Lucky…" Grumbles Wednesday Addams.
"No. Not at all. There was a lot about the merge near the end that was life threateningly traumatic." Beatrice says.
Wednesday glares at her. "I know. And I missed out on it."
Beatrice sighs. "And I forgot who I was talking too."
Dipper Pines gives Wednesday a dirty look. "Hey you may have been robbed, but at least you got robbed at an actual elimination ceremony."
"Hey Dipper." Beatrice says.
"Oh! Uh, hey Beatrice! Long time no see!" Dipper stammers, suddenly looking very flustered. It was something he occasionally lapsed into around her. She suspected the boy might have had something of a crush on her. If he had, then clearly it hadn't gone away.
"Thanks for coming out." She says.
"Oh yeah! Don't sweat it! Everyone else was coming so I figured I should." He says trying to sound causal and failing spectacularly. "I'm uh really glad you made this far. You did great."
"Um thanks. You played a good game too. Sorry the whole Rick thing happened."
"Uh, yeah. Likewise, I guess."
The older gentlemen behind Dipper clears his throat. Beatrice looks up.
"Dipper who's your friend?" She asks.
"Allow me to introduce myself." The Man says extending a hand. "Stanford Pines. I'm Dippers great uncle and an old associate of Rick Sanchez."
"Oh." Beatrice says slightly taken aback. "This game must have been weird for you." It's probably not the most delicate thing to say in the moment. Fortunately, though Stanford doesn't seem to bare any mind to it. He simply sighs.
"I wanted to be here so I could apologize for what happened. Unfortunately, Rick's behavior isn't surprising, but it is disappointing. After everything the two of us went through in the trans dimensional void I would have hoped he'd treat my family more respectfully. But I don't approve of how he treated you either."
"It's fine I guess."
"No it isn't. You got Sanchez on his worse behavior. I meet Rick had his best, as an underground freedom fighter on the run through the multiverse, then slowly he stopped caring. Slowly as we saw more of the grand scale of causality that damned sense of nihilism started poisoning his mind. Again I sorely hoped one day he'd fight it off before it destroyed him. Guess it wasn't mean to be."
"I'm sorry you lost your friend." Beatrice says sincerely.
"Don't be. He was a jerk to you." Dipper protests.
"I didn't say I missed him." She clarifies. "But he meant something to you. Sorry you guys never got a chance to patch things up."
Stanford smiles approvingly.
"You seem like you've got a good head attached to your shoulders Beatrice. I'm glad you made it to the finals. Good luck on that last challenge. Sounds like you'll need it."
"Do you know what it is?" She asks hopefully.
"No one does." Dipper says.
"But you'll do great." Lenny insists. "You've had the whole game to prepare."
Beatrice makes an indecisive noise. Lenny puts a hand on her shoulder.
"Look. I know you and this team haven't always seen eye to eye. But that's all in the past. And in the end of the day you are a Fact Hunter. And everyone that's left of this team supports you."
"Speak for yourself."
"…Well everyone besides Wednesday."
Beatrice gives them a small grin. It's not a large gesture, but it's meaningful.
"Thanks guys."
Peach and Conner stroll over. Peach still wiping tears from her eyes.
"That's everyone right?" Beatrice ask.
"Are you sure?" Conner says teasingly. "Beatrice I think you missed two."
Beatrice laughs sarcastically. "What are you gonna bring out Indy and Roy? I just saw them."
"Beatrice!"
A young voice calls through the crowd. It's almost comical how quickly Beatrice goes stiff with stock.
"Boys?" She asks faintly.
For the second time in an hour someone nearly tackles her off her feet. She looks down to find a boy scarcely bigger than a toddler wrapped tightly around the hem of her dress.
"Greg!?"
The boy beams up at her. For a silver tea kettle is perched atop his head.
"Yay Beatrice! You won! You won! And they turned you into a person as a reward!"
"Greg!" Cries another voice. "I told you to hold my hand."
"Sorry Wirt!"
A boy of about 13 or 14 walks up. He wears a red cone as a hat and is wrapped loosely in a blue coat with gold fasteners.
"Wirt!" Beatrice cries happily. "What are you two doing here?"
"Your friend brought us." The boy says half staring at her. "It's nice to see you. And as a human again. You look beautiful. I MEAN-uh. You're- You're looking good."
They both laugh embarrassedly. Beatrice blushes in spite of herself.
"Thanks Wirt."
"Beatrice who are you friends?" Peach asks smiling. "Are they from the Unknown."
"Actually, we just got lost there." Wirt says. "We're sort of recent friends of Beatrice."
Greg lets go of Beatrice and points to himself proudly. "I'm an elephant! Wirt's my brother, and this my frog Jason Funderburker."
He reaches into a satchel and pulls out a lazy looking bullfrog.
"He's a little unmotivated now, but he'll always have a promising singing carrier to fall back on."
"I've heard of you!" Peach says suddenly. "Beatrice mentioned that she…"
"Screwed them over?" Beatrice guesses.
Peach looks flustered. "Oh, I don't those were the words you used."
"Did what happened between us come up?" Wirt asks surprised.
Beatrice sighs. "Yeah… It might have. I made a couple big mistakes."
"I've forgiven you." Greg says happily. "Though as an elephant I cannot forget."
"What kind of mistakes?" Wirt asks.
Beatrice gives him a dirty look. "Wirt! Stop messing around, you've seen the show."
"No I haven't."
"You haven't?"
Wirt shakes his head. "We only found out about this like I don't know an hour ago."
Beatrice let's out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."
"Did things really go that bad?" Wirt asks.
"I mean yeah. But… I guess things worked out in the end." She admits, casting an eye back at her old team.
"I mean they must have." Wirt says with a slight laugh. "Look at you! Siting pretty in the final two. You got to feel good about that." He lowers his voice. "And If that princess woman's your last opponent then she seems like she'd go down in a cinch."
Beatrice rolls her eyes. "Lay off the princess Wirt."
"How come? You two have a history?"
"It's a long story."
"Enough beating around the bush! Jason Funderburker and I want to hear about your adventures!" Greg insists.
Beatrice sighs humoredly. "You get to hear some of it alright?"
Peach turns to Conner inquiringly.
"Is it only Beatrice that has visitors from home?"
Conner laughs. "Expecting someone are we?" Peach looks away modestly.
"I just though perhaps-"
Conner's grin broadens and her heart skips. She hears them first, then spots then in the crowd and suddenly she's running towards them. Her friends. The faces she knew so well. There was a six of them, two of her favorite Toads, the space traveler Rosalina (Whom she was a little surprised to see) her best friend Daisy, Luigi and her Mario.
Her friends talking over each other in excitement. She wordless falls into Daisy's arms, somewhere between tears and laughter. Her fellow princess hugs her tight.
"Welcome back!" She cries delightedly. Peach again has to hold herself back from sobbing.
"I had forgot you were more than a dream." She gasps.
"Oh Princess we're-a so happy to see you again!" Luigi says.
"You we're gone so long, we almost send Mario after you!" Daisy laughs.
Mario takes off his red cap and rings in his hands humbly.
"It's true Princess."
She keels down to meet him eye to eye. Endless words die on her tongue before they pass through her lips. This moment had passed through her mind nearly every day since she had arrived. He looks up, his eyes the same vibrant shade of blue as hers. There was soul beneath those eyes. A real person. The Mario she knew. That she had always known.
"Something the matter Princess?" He asks surprised. Peach laughs, fresh tears rolling down her face.
"Nothing's the matter. I'm so happy to see you again."
"You're quest through the cosmos is nearly done." Rosalina says gently.
"Just a little further." Luigi urges.
"We'll be watching from the sides. We know you've got this!" Daisy insists.
"We believe in you Princess." Mario says.
Peach wipes her eyes again and beams radiantly at them. She loved them all so dearly her heart felt fit to burst. Everything behind felt conquered, nothing before her felt impossible.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Beatrice hug her friends goodbye, then Conner collect her and start to walk over. She gives her friends another look.
"This isn't goodbye. I'll be home soon."
"We know." Daisy says. "Now come on, go win this thing already!"
Peach laughs on last time then rushes off to join Conner. A good-natured smirk on her hosts face. He seems genuinely happy for them.
"See that limo at the end of the block?" He asks pointing ahead to a long black car. "That's going to take you to the final challenge. Don't worry It'll be a quick trip."
"Thank goodness." Beatrice says. Conner chuckles.
"Ladies. This is where we part ways. I'll see both you real soon. Good luck."
"Thank you for this." Peach says. Gesturing around at the crowds of friend and fans. Conner smiles faintly.
"Least I can do."
Peach and Beatrice turn away from their host, from their teammates, and from their friends, and walk towards the car.
A man stands there next to an open door. He's of African decent. Tall, burly and slightly intimating.
"You two the Endless finalists?" He asks unnecessarily. Both girls nod.
"That's right." Peach says.
"Not like there's anyone else we could be." Beatrice quips.
The Man merely rolls his eyes and gestures into the car. "In you go."
…
The drive is short but beautiful. The sky is blue and cloudless, the air warm, and there are palms along nearly every road. To Beatrice Los Angeles looks near identical to Los Santos. The strange sense of Deja vu overtaking her as the scenery passes out the window. To Peach Los Santos is a place she has no memory off. But the view matched those that Markus had described to her countlessly times. This had been his hometown. A warm mix of nostalgia and melancholy settles over her as the ride passes in silence.
There driver takes turns on a winding road, leading up a chain of small mountains colonized by extravagant mansions. He stops at the gate of one larger than all the others surrounding it and flashes his ID. The gate swings open and the car passes through an immaculately landscaped garden before stopping in front of an imposing front door.
"Boss we'll be waiting for you inside." He says ushering them out of the car and into the house. "Good luck… you'll need it."
He snickers sinisterly then slams the door.
They're left standing alone in a massive foyer.
"Whatever happens next Peach…" Beatrice says. "…It's been nice being your friendly rival."
Peach gives her a reassuring look. "Beatrice, you're my friend."
Beatrice gives her a fleeting but deeply happy smile.
A voice booms from a balcony above them.
"Well looky here what the Multiverse dragged in?" It asks. "You two are the new Total Drama finalists?"
The voice chuckles. Then seems to come from the other side of the room.
"Got to say dudes. I'm kind of impressed. Beating twenty-five other contestants, making it through the biggest, Baddest, and brutalist places pop culture has to offer? That's not a bad performance."
"Thank you." Peach says. "We-"
"Kind of, being the key word there." The voice interrupts. "Because you old O'Gleeson did an acceptable job, but a real Total Drama season has this certain thing his was missing."
"Like what?" Beatrice asks apprehensively.
"Something, LIKE ME!"
The lights turn on and the room's suddenly fully lit. They see the identity of the stranger and at once both of them let out a cry of disbelieve. Theirs no question in their minds who it is.
They spent the first half of the season memorizing his face.
Chris Mclean laughs down at them from the top of his grand staircase.
"Now who's ready for a real challenge!?"