Ticket here, welcome back to another episode of "Fight for Fiji"! This episodes tackles the fallout of a big villain's elimination, some strategy, and basic camp life. Plus, another reward challenge takes place!

Side-note for the rest of the story: scheduling challenges/Tribal Council is going to change. We are closing in on the finish!

Final Eight Boot: Night 31

Final Seven Boot: Night 33

Final Six Boot: Night 35

Final Five Boot: Night 38

Final Four Boot: Night 39

Final Boot: Night 40

Then finally: Final Tribal Council: Night 42!

Enjoy!

Players: Sonic, Gordon, Luigi, Blu, Matt, Li Mei, Bandana Dee, Kano, Kabal

Jury: Tremor, Little Mac, and Kano

42 days, eight people, but only ONE Survivor!

Merged Tribe

Night 29

The eight castaways arrive at camp once again, and lean their torches on the Torch Tree.

After last night, Kabal's left on an island by himself. Metaphorically. But there's still a chance he could become the Sole Survivor. He's been making a little progress, especially after that reward moment with a Blue Yoshi.

But for now, he had to hear people explain why they took out his ally. Gordon is one of the first to get to him.

"Kano was the big one. Our alliances didn't trust him to stick by anyone, so he needed to go. It was nothing personal against you." The Chef explains, doing damage control.

"I'm glad you told me the truth than giving me some hammy apology. Thanks." Kabal responds. "And I know what's coming next, so let's keep in touch."

"I'd like that."

Gordon: Matt told me KANO was talking with him, and I knew Kabal was talking with me. They couldn't commit to one side. But we can't keep stalling on that clan, it's PAST time to make a move. Kano's not here anymore, that hedgehog's gonna hit a dead end.

The Chef's sounding like a familiar person in the 'Sonic' franchise.

The lone dragon crawls into the shelter, and is met by said hedgehog.

"Looks like we're gonna fight another day!" he says, with a smile. Underneath his mask, Kabal isn't smiling. "Joy."

The hedgehog notices that dull reply. "..are you still thinking about him?" Yes, yes he was. "Look man, we all kept you over Kano because—"

"He was a snake. I understand."

"OH. So no hard feelings right?" he asks, extending his gloved-fist. Kabal fist-bumps him. "None. It's only a game after all. There's no need for me to lash out just because an ally has left the game." he responds, and it satisfies the hedgehog…almost. "Well I asked because you don't have anyone left. It wasn't a personal attack, we just needed to take him out."

"So what happens next? Will your tribes just look at me as a swing?"

"Well…."

"Because I'm a free agent."

"Oh!" Sonic exclaims, breathing in relief. "For a second I thought you were gonna snap!" Kabal just shakes his head. There's no need. I'm actually better off now. Without Kano, people will actually be able to approach me without worrying about his input." Right you are man.

"Morale's better too! Blu hasn't stopped smiling since he left!" Sonic scoots closer. "And by the way: you have her to thank. She went to bat for you even when we were split. But hey, I'm still glad you're around! Challenges would be boring without a rival." he admits. Sonic is all for competition, as long as it doesn't destroy the world, or actually threaten anyones lives.

"I appreciate the sentiment."

Kabal starts off his confession chuckling.

Kabal: One talk, and Blu saved my life. Out of EVERYONE here to vouch for me, she did. She'd do anything to win against Kano, and as it turns out: she did. Now the tribes seem to be going at it, and I'm in a much better spot than last time.

His takeaway?

Kabal: In order to win, you have to take losses on the way.

Merged Tribe

Day 30

"Welcome back to the trenches."

Gordon and his fellow Fatu know exactly what has to be done next. With Kano gone, there's no more excuses.

"Soooo…Sonic right?" The Waddle dee guesses. "It was never in question." Well Gordon confirmed it: Fatu versus Roku, round two! Round one was a draw in both ways. Mac was a resourceful ally for the Fatu side, but could have jumped back to Roku any time. Another loss would put Fatu in the minority..permanently.

"Mei was still with us yesterday. We need to get her today!" The Waddle dee notes.

"She did what we all discussed: put votes on Kabal incase he had an idol." Gordon says, confirming that the people on both tribes DID come together and decide Kano needed to go. This didn't make the edit due to suspense around who's getting voted out. But now it's been cleared up enough so viewers understand what's going on.

Whether it was the right decision or not, is up to the audience.

"If we're asking about damage control, I already did it. He said he'd keep in touch." The Chef reveals. "He voted with the Roku at the rock draw, so don't be surprised if we have to fight from the bottom."

Luigi just groans at the thought. "Can't something go right for us?"

"We have to MAKE it go right for us. Don't let the anxiety get the better of you." The chef responds. Luigi has been pretty quiet lately. It's a part of his personality, but he also hasn't been looking happy.

"It's fine." That's all Luigi has to say.

"I don't want to leave Mei out. If she goes to Roku, I don't know what else we can do.." Dee's worries don't fall on deaf ears. "We keep trying until we're all gone. No time for quitters." The Chef summed up his game philosophy.

The two turn to Luigi, who adjusts his cap. "Anything to add?" Gordon asks.

"No, you guys pretty much said everything."

"Then our plans set."

The waddle dee keeps his eyes on Luigi though, and actually gets a confessional.

Bandana Dee: Before we merged Luigi was just fine! But I really think the rock draw freaked him out. He's never been the same since then..we don't even argue about food anymore.

Elsewhere, he talks with Luigi one on one.

"Are you ok?"

The Italian gulps down some saliva. "Hmm..…"

"…"

"No."

"O..k. What's wrong this time?" Dee asks, and the plumber lets out a heavy exhale. "You ever been homesick before? That's how it feels."

The two come to a stop.

"When I'm at home, people accept me, and there's no worries because we're on the same routine. I enjoy myself. The last time I got to enjoy myself here was the swap. We all got along, we went bowling, i didn't have to worry about the game all the time…even when I was starving." Luigi explains.

"That blows…I get homesick sometimes too." The waddle dee asks, trying to get to the core.

"You've taken it-a well. You adjust fine to everything. I just don't get why I can't…I'd love to to the activities again but everyone's gotten so serious. Even Sonic.

"Hmm…" the waddle dee thinks. "I don't think Sonic minds doing activities. You just never asked him to. I know you guys are like..different and everything but if you ask I'm sure he'll say yes!" Bandana Dee with that constructive criticism.

"I know, I know.." The Italian still looks bummed. "Am I just..BAD at the game?"

"WHAT? You're not bad!"

"I'm just not as good as you guys. I don't make-a the plans, you're my only final two.." So that confirms it. "I'm so far behind everyone at this point. I don't think I can win."

Awww. Luigi. The bandana'd dee looks like he's about to cry, but he wipes those tears away.

"Of course you can win. Anyone can. You don't have to be the loudest person in the room. You just have to be the smartest." Bandana Dee advises, and it's accurate to seasons in the real series. Natalie White beat Russell Hantz because she knew his jury management was bad. Philip Shepard was the loudest, and failed. Season 39, Noura and Dean were the loudest, but still lost to Tommy Sheehan.

It's the truth.

"A loud person JUST left. You. Arent. Out of it." Bandana Dee's really trying to hype him up.

The plumber starts to smile. "Mama mia..."

"Huh?"

"You must be motivational back on your world."

Luigi starts to snicker, and the smile comes back to the waddler's eyes. "There you are!"

Luigi: Dee is such a great friend to have. Every time one of us is down, the other picks us up. The conditions, and the homesickness still sucks to deal with, but at least someone…gets it, you know?

Some wind passes through and almost blows his cap off! Luigi snatches the hat before it can go anywhere!

Luigi: Phew..don't need to be losing that.

Reward Challenge

Jeff's standing alone, with the challenge right behind him. What does he have for us today?

"Come on in!"

The final eight enter the challenge area, and see the course behind him. It looks like another team challenge, but a little bigger.

"Alright. Are we ready to get to today's reward challenge?"

The cheers tell him everything he needs to know.

"Ok. For today's reward challenge, you'll be split into four teams of two. There will be two stages, and both of you HAVE to participate. The first stage, you'll use a slingshot to knock down three plates. Then you'll move across a balance beam and tag in your partner for the second stage. They will

It sounds easy enough…for those with good aim.

"First team to wins reward, AND as a bonus..each person can pick ONE person to go with them. The other half left will go back to camp with nothing."

That stipulation's harsh on everyone. It's harsh on those who still haven't gone on reward yet…like Luigi. It's also harsh on the winners, who could make someone mad, and be targeted if they're petty enough.

"We'll draw for teams, and we'll get started."

Teams:

1. Sonic and Bandana Dee

2. Gordon and Luigi

3. Matt and Blu

4. Kabal and Li Mei

The four teams are in positions. Four people have a slingshot in hand, and are focused on their plates. They are: Bandana Dee, Luigi, Matt, and Li Mei.

"Alright, reward on the line. Survivors ready?"

….

"GO!"

Luigi immediately shoots his shot, but it's a miss!

Li Mei takes her first shot, and BARELY misses her first late!

Bandana Dee takes his shot, and gets a HIT!

Matt takes his shot, and it's a HIT for him too!

"Dee must have skills outside of the game, as he hit the plate before MATT was even able to!" Jeff points out.

"I'm used to bows and arrows, Jeff." Matt clarifies.

Dee hits his second plate!

Matt hits his second plate!

Li Mei hits her first plate!

Luigi misses yet again!

"Oh come-a on!"

It's close between Bandana Dee and Matt to see who moves on first..

Bandana Dee: I use spears for a living. Slingshots are no problem!

Bandana Dee hits his third plate, and goes to make his way across the net! He starts to trip up, and actually gets caught in it!

"Wiggle outta there buddy, you can do it!" Sonic shouts, encouraging his teammate.

While Dee wriggles out, Matt nails his third plate and ends up PASSING him on the net! Bandana Dee eventually lifts himself out of the net hole, and takes his time getting across, desperate not to trip.

Li Mei hits her third plate, and moves across the net. Her size isn't an issue, so she passes Dee up too!

"Survivor doesn't discriminate. It doesn't matter if you are tall or small, disadvantages WILL show!"

Luigi FINALLY hits his first plate! He gets his bullet back and goes for the second one, only to see everyone else moving onto the last stage.

"Aye aye aye…"

Luigi: This place has a twisted sense of humor!

As for everyone else though, they've got progress.

Blu was already tagged in a while ago, and already has TWO balls up there, having a slight lead. Kabal's tagged in, and gets a ball up there. Blu tosses it up..and it misses.

Kabal makes a toss, and it hits the spot! It's between Blu and Kabal, but it's about to get close when Dee tags in Sonic! He gets right to work by jogging to the post and tossing the ball..

..it goes over.

"You don't have to run." Dee notes, and Sonic quickly gets the first ball back. He tosses it up, and it lands!

BUT BLU GETS HER THIRD BALL ON FIRST!

"Out of nowhere, BLU AND MATT WIN REWARD!"

The Yoshi jumps up and down, and when Matt approaches her, she just pulls him into a hug!

"We did it, we did it, we—"

"I know, I know."

Jeff approaches the two, and let's them know what the deal is. "Congratulations you two, you win a free trip to the 'Survivor Spa.' There you will get massages, enjoy a sauna, jet baths, steam rooms, as so much more." Matt pops his neck. "Lord knows I need a massage."

Now comes the hard part.

"Now..I did say half of you would get this trip. Matt, pick someone to come with you."

The Mii looks at the six people who lost the challenge. They'd all love to go on the reward, and he knows it. But rules are the rules, and he could only pick one.

"Li Mei."

She heads over, and the others clap for her. Some want to look good, while others are clapping away the pain.

"That's three. Blu, you get to pick the last person to join you."

The Yoshi gulps, knowing that she'll tick off a few people with her next choice.

"I'm so sorry for the people who are left out..but Kabal."

Kabal walks up to her. "Appreciate it."

As for the rest of the losers, they seem to take it in grace. "We understand." Sonic says, while the FaThree keep quiet. Jeff gets things back in order. "Blu, Matt, Li Mei, Kabal, stay here. A boat will be waiting for you, and you'll get your reward to-day." Blu squeals, she just can't help it.

Jeff turns to the other four. "Sonic, Fatu…I've got nothin' for ya. Head back to camp, I'll see you tomorrow." The four depart from the challenge area, while the four lucky 'winners' get a free trip to the spa.

At a time where the games getting tense, losing a reward could make emotions worse. Gordon especially, because he caught something.

Gordon: Matt and Blu are gaming more than we think. Sonic may be the face of their alliance, but you take the two people we need on reward, and don't think I'd notice?

He just glares.

Gordon: Now you're ON my radar!

Matt and Blu get a spa with Li Mei and Kabal, and get time to work on building those relationships. Buuuut Gordon knows exactly what they're trying to do. Leaving SONIC behind? Somethings up with that. Also, Luigi's appreciating how good a friend Bandana Dee is. He's a ride or die!

Next chapter will contain what Sonic and the FaThree are getting up to, and of course: The Survivor Spa reward! What are Blu, Matt, Li Mei, and Kabal going to do?

Ticket out, 11B will be out soon.