Immunity Challenge
Day 23
It's a sunny day, and the wind is steady. It's the perfect weather for a challenge. Jeff's standing next to the immunity necklace podium, last seen during the "Smackdown in Samoa" finale.
"Come on in!"
The eleven castaways enter, with no tribe to wait on. All in the loop. They wouldn't receive news about a Tribal from Jeff, now they'd get to see it themselves. But before the storm begins, they had to determine who would be getting shelter, and who'd be left out to take the hits.
"Alright. Let's get to your first individual immunity challenge…" no teammates could save anyone this time. "Immunity's back up for grabs. For today's challenge, you'll play in three phases. For the first part, you'll race through a three-story net, and slide to the bottom. Then you'll climb a steep hill, slide down the other end, and finish first."
What about the second part?
"After that, you'll kick off the next part by running up a wall. When you get up, there will be a slingshot and three targets. Once you shoot all three down, you'll slide down the other end, and wait for one person."
Clear enough. How are they finishing?
"Then for the final part, it's all about endurance. You'll hold onto a handle, attached to a bucket containing twenty-five percent of your pre-game weight. As your hands fatigue, the bucket will lower, and finally fall. If your bucket crashes onto the tile below, you're done. Last person standing wins immunity, and has a guaranteed spot in the final ten." Jeff explains.
A challenge that tests cardio, aim, and endurance, one after the other. This will be a living h-e-l-l-scape for some contestants.
"I'll give you a moment to prepare and we'll get started."
Phase 1: Net Racing
Little Mac, Sonic, Gordon, Luigi, Blu, Matt, Li Mei, Bandana Dee, Kano, Kabal, and Tremor
The eleven stand above a checkered line, ready to begin.
"First individual immunity of the season! Survivors ready?"
…
"GO!"
The castaways take off for the net, but a couple easily pull ahead of everyone else: Sonic and Kabal. It's not a free road for the hedgehog, so he and Kabal remain neck and neck.
"So much for being the quickest." Kabal says, as he and Sonic crawl through the second story. "Oh yeah?" The hedgehog speeds up his crawling, and hops up to the third one, but Kabal swipes at his foot! Sonic plants onto the net, as Kabal crawls by and takes the lead!
As for the others, they're climbing up to the second story. Matt's up, Mei's up, Mac's up, Tremor's up. Kano gets up next, his foot dangling, and Blu grabs ahold of it and tries pulling him down! Kano looks through the net and spots the blue Yoshi clinching his feet.
"Get off me you little bugger!" He tries wiggling her off, but to no avail! Gordon passes by, as does Luigi! The waddle dee's using the walls to climb, and even though he's in last, it wouldn't be long. He jumps for the second story net and gets it! He crawls past Kano and a dangling Blu, and that man is losing it.
"I should laughed at your boyfriend more!"
"He was JUST a friend…"
"Oh suuure he was…"
Meanwhile, Sonic and Kabal race up the sand hill, with Kabal in the lead. He kicks sand behind him, throwing the hedgehog off! While he coughs, Kabal reaches the other end and slides down the hill!
"Kabal's first!"
The hedgehog slides down, brushing some sand off.
"Sonic's second! Three more spots left!":
Four would leave the net: Matt, Mei, Mac, and Tremor.
"There's four of you but only three spots left! Someone's getting their time cut short!"
The new group of four rushes to the sand hill, but more problems arise. Tremor grabs Matt by his shirt and practically tosses him aside! He rushes up the hill alongside Mac and Mei. The Mii kips up and jumps on Tremor's back, trying to weigh him down…
..but Tremor just keeps rushing up! All that muscles paying off! At the top of the hill Tremor grabs Matt by his bald head and flips him onto his back!
"OH…" Sonic mutters, washing his number one get mopped.
"Hope he's alright." Kabal says, which draws the look of the hog. "He's not the only one who uses sand as a weapon."
"You're fine."
Tremor slides down the sand hill, and meets the two. "Greetings."
"Tremor finishes in third, two spots left!"
While Matt gets up, Mac and Mei get past him and slide down the hill. Matt THROWS HIMSELF a down the hill to finish first…but it doesn't work out.
"Mac and Li Mei finish, and that's all for the first round!"
The five moving on watch Matt get up, brushing off his Orange shirt. "Matt, as hard as you tried, you're eliminated. Head to the sit-out bench." With Jeff breaking the news, the Mii leaves the five behind.
"That was a great play, would have been iconic if it saved you." Sonic comments.
"Flattered." Matt says, joining the remaining Fatu tribe, Blu, and Kano at the bench.
Phase 2: Target Practice
Little Mac, Sonic, Li Mei, Kabal, and Tremor
The remaining five look at the wall ahead. Mac just sighs, his height going to be a disadvantage.
"It's about force. Survivors ready?"
…
"GO!"
The five rush up the wall. Unfortunately Mac's size is already a factor and he can't reach the top. Mei goes to reach the top but can't and she slides back down. Neither has the speed factor, which makes it easier to get some height as Kabal and Sonic reach the top!
"That's two up, could we get a third?"
Tremor takes a try, but he can't reach if either. The mass on him is weighing him down.
"It's not as easy as some make it look. If you can run up quick enough, it's an easy game. If you can't you WILL have trouble."
Mac rushes up, fails again. Tremor rushes up, fails again. Mei tries again, and gets her fingertips on the top..but can't seal the deal and slides back down!
Up top, the Black Dragon member and the hedgehog prep their slingshots…
Sonic hits his first target!
Kabal hits his first target!
Sonic hits his second target!
Kabal hits his second target!
Both have one last target to go. "Not this time!" Sonic shouts, shooting for the stars…and missing!"Yes. This time." Kabal slings that sand bag to his target..and it hits! Kabal speeds past the targets and slides down, advancing to the last round.
"Kabal has a 50% chance of winning immunity, who's going to join him?"
Sonic hits his target the second time around and slides down, cutting the field down.
"Sonic's in, and this round is OVER. Mac, Mei, Tremor, join your people on the sit out bench." The three eliminated head over, while the final two look at their endurance challenge ahead…
Phase 3: Bucket Lift
Kabal versus Sonic
This is it. The last two characters hang on to
"It's for all the marbles. Survivors ready?"
…
"GO!"
The two grip the handles, making sure that they don't roll forward and sink that bucket. There's not much to write home about since this phase as just begun.
"If you don't feel pain now, trust me when I say: it's coming."
That they will Jeff.
Elapsed Time: 20 Minutes
Kabal's bucket dips slightly, having to account for more weight.
"Just like that, the bucket begins to slip. It can happen at any moment."
Sonic's bucket lowers a bit too, both buckets neck and neck.
Elapsed Time: 40 Minutes
Both castaways are still equal with their buckets, but the height's not ideal at all. The longer this challenge goes, the worse it gets for their arms.
"Fourty minutes in, how are we feeling?" Jeff asks.
"Hanging in there." Kabal replies.
"I'm on Cloud Nine, Jeff!" Sonic says.
The hedgehog has sweat drops rolling down his cheek, while sweat's visible on Kabal's arms. The pain's really kicking in.
Elapsed Time: 1 Hour
The buckets are almost halfway down, it's getting DANGEROUSLY close to a drop for them.
"It's the most critical time in this challenge. Starting off you could deal with the weight, but can you keep it up when fatigued?"
Sonic's hands start to shake, while Kabal crouches down to keep his leverage on that handle.
Elapsed Time: 1 Hour and 20 Minutes
Sonic joins Kabal in his crouching, the fatigue hitting them hard. It looks easy on paper until you're out there doing it.
"One hour. Twenty minutes. We could get our first immunity winner in a matter of moments…"
It seems that both could drop any moment.
.
.
.
Due to dealing with more weight, Kabal's bucket goes down first!
"SONIC WINS INDIVIDUAL IMMUNITY!"
The hedgehog lets the handle go and sends his bucket crashing onto the tile! He takes his time getting to the necklace stand, and when he gets there, Jeff wraps the necklace around his neck.
"How does it feel?"
"It's too sweet!"
The ten castaways who lost meet up with the two. "Congratulations Sonic, you are safe from tonight's vote. Enjoy the immunity." Jeff turns to the ten vulnerable. "As for the rest of you, you're still in danger at tonight's Tribal Council, and one of you will be the first person sent to the jury. Head back to camp, I'll see you tonight." There we have it: Sonic barely saves himself, but still has people to protect.
Anyways, the eleven players head back to camp, and the person to receive a confessional in the spot is Kabal, who's not as sour as people may think.
Kabal: Coming so close only to drop the ball leaves a sour taste in anyone's mouth, especially mine. But, it's not over until my torch is snuffed. I'll never lay down and die.
Merged Tribe
Day 23
Little Mac, Sonic, Gordon, Luigi, Blu, Matt, Li Mei, Bandana Dee, Kano, Kabal, and Tremor
The eleven castaways arrive back to camp, looking forward to the first merge voteoff ahead. Before that though, congratulations were in order to the immunity winner.
"You earned it, man."
"I don't know how you didn't drop before me, but bravo."
"You're all making me blush." The hedgehog says, headed to start a fire for the dinner ahead of them.
Sonic: This is where the pace picks up! No more unanimous votes, no more "easy" choices, just raw scrambling!
It takes no time for scrambling to kick off, as Kano meets with Mac and Mei who are important for the vote.
"If you side with us tonight, here's what's on the table: We'll go to the final six, and make sure it's not a 3 on 2 just to be fair." Kano making an offer that benefits both groups? What a shocker. "If we went to the final five it'd be a three on two, so I want to give you a chance. Nobody wants to deal with the Black Dragon any way." He explains, and may have a point. Could a Black Dragon improve their chances as winning a jury vote?
"I respect that you're giving us a chance with this. We just need to know: who is the sixth?" Mac asks, and the assassin throws a name out: "Someone like a Luigi. Or a Gordon. We don't want Matt or Sonic with us, they could just win out. And you know how badly they want you out. Our deal would be pointless if we brought our enemies." Kano explains, hoping to sway them over.
"Is that why you want Blu out before six?" Mei asks, and after the challenge it's obvious why. "She went outta her own way to sabotage me. She's not just an annoyance anymore."
The boxer pokes another hole. "You left out Dee too, but I get it. He's loyal to the Fatu forever. Changing his mind is going to be hard, but if any of your guys are in a deal? There's no way he takes it." he notes.
"Glad we're on the same page. But are we gonna yabber? Or are we making a deal?" Kano asks, extending his hand.
Kano: If I think he's lying to me, I'm playing me Tribal Ticket. It would be the five of us against a majority of six, which isn't in their best interest for flipping..but it is mine. I just have to persuade them that my way is the best, even if their games tank.
Li Mei watches as Mac extends his hand.
Li Mei: I see what he's done. If Mac shakes his hand and goes back on his word, Kano can paint him as a snake. If Mac doesn't shake his hand, Kano can paint him as a liar. He's essentially locked us in a lose-lose.
Later, the Roku + Blu faction and the Fatu Three meet, because as a majority they have something they have to execute.
"So we've gotta split these votes." Matt says, taking the front seat. "There's three people open, and eight of us. Before we lock it in…anyone have a way they wanna go?" he asks, jumping in the back seat once again.
"Five on Kano, three on Kabal." Gordon suggests. "We all want Kano out, but after what we saw, his boys are threats too." The Waddle dee jumps on that. "He took out Toriel! He made a move and we have to do him." That's two Fatu on board…Luigi?
"Whatever you guys want."
That's three on the Kabal train. BUT, a hedgehog who went head to head has a different take. "He's definitely giving us a run for our money, but he failed at endurance. I think you three should vote for Tremor instead."
"I don't see it." The chef rebuttles.
"Oh yeah? See this: Kabal flopped at endurance. You know who has a body of steel? Tremor. You know who none of us vibe with? Tremor." The Hedgehog explains, but the chef still doesn't agree. "The 'vibes' don't matter right now. Kabal's a bigger threat all around the board, and if Kano plays something: HE should be leaving."
Sonic doesn't budge. "Do you think the invincible Tremor can hang on for endurance? Or Kabal who just has his speed?" He asks, awaiting an answer.
"Kabal by a long shot. He's the perfect size for an endurance challenge. Sure Tremor's got grip, but Kabal has better balance." The chef rebuttles. "If we want to put three votes on Tremor, we can do it next time when you win again."
Before the hedgehog can respond, Matt steps in. "We can save this for later. Fact is, we're throwing five on Kano anyways. If he gets out alive, we can just pick both of them off next." The Mii says, trying to appeal to both. "Those two are the backup plan, we don't need to be arguing about the backup plan this much…hell we don't even KNOW if Kano has something." Matt has a point, but since he DOES have something in his pocket, the majority needs to watch it.
"Yeah! Can we just focus on Kano please? I'm not trying to be annoying about it but let's NOT lose sight of him." Blu pleads, looking to keep the power alliance on track. The hedgehog and chef ultimately swallow any arguments for the sake of the group. "Thanks.."
We got Sonic and Gordon's side. But what about the others?
"Now I'm with Sonic on this one, I feel..iffy on keeping Tremor. Kabal's a big threat, but Tremor's just emotionless. Kabal's more open and I can at least appreciate open people." The Yoshi explains, and the Waddle dee adds to that. "Yeah I can actually talk to him! Tremor doesn't make me feel the same way. He's..unpredictable with how quiet he is." Valuable insight.
"Do we wanna put three on a threat? Or the unpredictable? Matt asks, and that the main question in this whole debate. It COULD continue if Kano doesn't play his Tribal Ticket and leaves the game, but if he does, then that spices it up a bit, and we'd see which person gets their way: Sonic on the 'vote Tremor' end, or Gordon on the 'vote Kabal' end.
Gordon: I can't see eye to eye with that hedgehog anymore. But blindsiding him now is moot, I'll p*ss off three people, and depend on three wildcards to stay safe.
Speaking of…
Gordon: We're seeing which two we want to put the split on. From what I'm picking up in the 'Kill Tremor' camp, is that they don't think they can work with him, where Kabal's easier. I see that, but Kabal's going to be a lot to deal with if we keep him around forever. Whoever we save here, could have a bad impact on everyone.
Before Tribal, the Black Dragon have what could be their last meetup as a trio. They're relying on Mac and Mei to break the split and blindside somebody. However, there's no guarantee they flip at all, so what was on the minds of this trio?
"Mac shook my hand on it, but he can always flip it back on me." Kano says, having a correct read. "They could always just wait until we're decimated to make a move, the Fatu aren't sticking to their super alliance forever."
"They're on the bottom of both groups, don't count it out." Kabal responds, turning to Tremor. "How are you feeling big guy?"
"Pessimistic. There are no idols or advantages to save us now. Just two people who may not even keep their words at the end of the night." Tremor admits. "This is the most danger we have ever been in."
"This'll put more hair on our chests. You need some." Kano says, but Tremor, once again, doesn't smile. "..tough crowd."
"It's not a humorous situation."
"You need to lighten up."
"You need to toughen up."
Kabal groans, his allies once again clashing. "Save it for later."
Tremor: Tonight determines the fate of the Black Dragon. We will either prosper with new allies, or fall on our swords.
Tribal Council
Night 23
The eleven castaways head to eleven stumps, a fire pit in front of it, and Jeff Probst standing there with his hands behind his back. It's the first Tribal of the merge, and someone would be sent to the jury first. The mayor of Ponderosa.
"Welcome back. Dip your torches into the fire. Fire represents your life, and once it's gone, so are you."
The contestants take a seat, and Tribal Council is set to begin.
"Alright. We are finally at our first Tribal Council, all together. Mac, how has the game changed from the beginning to now?" Jeff asks.
"We aren't playing for teams, or really anyone else. Just ourselves. Loyalty's not guaranteed any more, and they really call it a 'new phase' for a reason." he responds.
"Kano, do you agree?"
"Still seems like a team game looking at who's who." An actual answer. "Tonight we're all gonna say we're playing for ourselves, but we're actually playing to exterminate the Black Dragon. It's the eight of them, against the eight of us." Blunt way to put it, but even with swings open, they're still in the minority.
"That's a bold claim to make."
"It's a right one. I'll let you in on an open secret Jeff: everyone wants a piece of us. You've got the people up front who are calling the shots, like a Matt, then the ones who are in their leaders shadow: like a Dee, or a Blu. Even Luigi." Dee and Blu were expected, but Luigi?
"Why you call me out?" Luigi asks.
"I'm not being a jerk I'm saying the truth: you're in Gordon's shadow. Smart play, but I can see what you're doing." Kano explains.
"People tried to get me out, I'm NOT in his shadow!"
"Which people? Cause I sure as #£|| don't know who they are."
Sonic raises his white glove. "Sonic, you've just volunteered yourself as a target. Why?" Jeff asks, and the hedgehog doesn't hesitate to explain. "I'm not a target, I'm just clearing things up. It was a rushed move on my end, but Kano's going to use it to stir some chaos. It's not working tonight."
"Why not?"
"Our grudges are being set aside. Besides, we have a common enemy, why not take care of them?" The hedgehog questions, and the chef steps in to talk. "We're not the best of friends, but I have to agree with them. If we let these dragons slide by, they'll be a trio with all the power: strength, speed, and skill." Gordon explains.
"Your hog has those too Gordy." Kano responds.
"He's one hedgehog. You're three people." Gordon hits back.
"Sounds like the Beige Dragon's upset." Sonic comments, but he draws the ire of Kano next. "Nobody cares about the color beige, it's blander than your personality."
"People LIKE my personality."
"To each their own."
Shots fired!
Kabal steps into the convo. "I don't care who hates who, the fact is, it's eight against three. It could change. #£|| there's a good chance it will, because do we expect these people to go all the way until the final eight? I don't." A bold call right in front of everyone. "Everyone's got their own agenda, it's common sense in a game like this."
The host nods. "Tremor, you've been silent. Do you agree that this majority will crack?"
"It's a given. We do not know when it will crack, but these people won't be able to resist eating each other. It is just a matter of when." he says.
Blu has something to say about that. "They're right. We don't know when, but if I'm being honest: it shouldn't be tonight. We all got together and talked about how we're splitting this, so we should just…DO IT."
Matt leans to Sonic.
"She has loose lips."
"It's obvious to everyone don't worry about her."
The host lays back. "We'll see if anyone deviated, because it is time to vo—"
"Ah ah ah! Not yet mate."
Kano heads to Jeff, and pulls the Tribal Ticket out of his pocket! Kabal gasps, and Tremor leans to him.
"We're screwed."
"Hate to say it…but yeah."
Kano unfolds the Ticket, and gets to reading. "This is me Tribal Ticket. Before the votes are cast, I get to play this on anyone I want. When played, the person chosen will be safe, BUT will be sent back to camp, and can't vote tonight." he reads, turning to Jeff to give his verdict.
"I'm playing it for me."
He hands it in, and straight up leaves Tribal. Before he does, he hears some words from his allies.
"I hope this is worth it." Tremor says.
"For him. We're in the dirt." Kabal responds.
With one advantage played before the votes, Jeff scans the ten castaways voting. "Does ANYONE else have something they'd like to play?" he asks, and…
.
.
.
Nobody gets up.
"Ok, then it is time to vote. Gordon, you're up first."
The chef heads to the voting booth, a new plan set in place. But what's the majority cooking?
Gordon: Your boy just d*cked you over. The next time you come to play, get better friends. (?)
Matt: It wasn't supposed to be you, but Kano looked out for himself. Good move for him, but it's bad for you. (?)
Kabal: I need to talk to someone after this. (?)
The ten voters head back to their stumps after the voting is finished. When they're all set, Jeff's ready to get on with the Tribal. "I'll tally the votes…"
While he fetches the voting urn, Kabal and Tremor look on. Both had targets on their backs, but only one could leave for now.
Jeff returns to the podium with his urn in hand. "If anyone has a hidden immunity idol or advantage, and would like to play it, now would be the time to do so…"
.
.
.
Once again, nobody stands up.
"Alright I'll read the votes.." Jeff says, removing the lid and digging the parchment out. Who knows how this split could turn out.
"First vote.."
.
.
"Kabal.
.
.
"Tremor."
.
.
"Kabal."
.
.
"Tremor. That's two votes Kabal, two votes Tremor."
.
.
"Kabal."
.
.
"Tremor. Three votes Kabal, three votes Tremor, four votes left."
.
.
"Blu. Three votes Kabal, three votes Tremor, one vote Blu, three votes left."
Here it comes…
.
.
"Tremor."
The enforcer huffs. He could still have a chance here, if Kano didn't play his ticket.
.
.
.
"Eighth person voted out of 'Survivor: Fight for Fiji', and the first member of our jury..Tremor. Bring me your torch."
He grabs his torch, and has some parting words. "Don't pity me. I will simply choose better next time." As he leaves the stumps, Kabal steps in front of him. "Eat like a king."
"I won't eat like a king, I will eat like a god."
The tribe laughs at the comment, anything to brighten the mood, Tremor gets to Jeff and sets his torch down.
Jeff raises his snuffer.
"Tremor..the tribe has spoken."
SNUFF…
"Time for you to go."
Tremor leaves the Tribal Council area, not saying a word. He's said all he's needed to say. When he's out of view, Jeff faces the ten players who attended all the way. "Tonight, it was eight against three. Now it's eight against two. Head back to camp, good night."
The ten head back to camp, set to be greeted by Kano, who's going to see the aftermath. It's the final ten, and as easy votes leave, it only heats up.
Tremor's Final Words
Tremor: THIS is what I get for being loyal. Eliminated because someone just so happened to find a ticket. He couldn't take the heat and needed it to escape, but it is right for him as he was getting voted out. I always knew Kano was a dealer who goes into business for himself, but he just needed to do it at the most in-opportune time.
But he wasn't done.
Tremor: I tried hiding my Black Dragon roots for as long as I could. Kano and Kabal are the same way outside of this game. So for those wondering why I stuck with them all this way, that is why.
Votes:
Tremor— Matt, Sonic, Li Mei, Blu, and Little Mac
Kabal— Gordon, Luigi, and Bandana Waddle Dee
Blu— Kabal and Tremor
Kano used the Tribal Ticket, and left Tribal without voting.
Confessional Count:
25– Gordon ( +3)
24– Sonic ( + 2), Kano ( + 2)
23– Matt ( + 2)
21– Little Mac ( + 1)
20– Kabal ( + 3), Luigi ( + 2)
19– Blu ( + 1)
16– Bandana Dee ( + 2)
15– Li Mei ( + 3)
Eliminated:
19– Tremor ( + 4)
18– Toriel
12– Kristine, Monty Mole
10– Red
9– Infinite
5– Nelson, Claptrap
There goes Tremor. The Black Dragon tried their best by appealing to Mac and Mei, but in the case of this vote split: the majority thought Tremor needed to go first. It doesn't help that Kano used his Tribal Ticket and left for safety sake. No immunity run for Tremor like some on the island thought he would go on. Kano's also just finding out what happened to his ally. You'll get his reaction, and more scheming in Episode 9!
It's also time to reveal the third cast member for Season 4: It's Drax the Destroyer, from the Guardians of the Galaxy! He's got plenty of physicality in him which could help for challenges, but isn't the best socially which may lead to trouble.
Have a good one, Ticket out!