Ticket here, welcome back to another chapter. You'll get a little more content from the Man tribe, and just a warning: a majority of the time here is spent with the machines. They can definitely use more screentime since they're on a winning streak.

Anyways, enjoy!

Man

Day 8

Brandon, Chun-Li, Daisy, Drax, Rick, Sackboy, and Ulala

After the loss, Daisy's sitting alone on a log. It must be frustrating to lose over and over again, especially for someone who's competitive like she is.

She isn't alone for long, as Chun-Li takes a seat next to her. "Good to talk?"

"Go for it." Not very enthusiastic, but the fighters going to push forward anyway. "It's frustrating to lose, but you shouldn't let it get to you. We've just begun after all."

"It's been an AWFUL start. How is everyone so calm about this? That's four in a row, it HAS to be getting somebody to else right?"

"It sucked for all of us, but we are still in a game. Aggression only makes that target on your back bigger." Chun responds.

"So, don't have emotions."

"No, I just think you should control them more. If you keep throwing puzzle pieces that'll make everyone uncomfortable. Take that how you want to."

The princess takes a couple seconds to think. "…If we lose five in a row, I'm going to be the sorest loser you've ever met."

"That'll still make you a target. Just take a few after so you don't do anything you regret."

She thinks on that advice. "Competitive just does that to me."

Chun-Li: Daisy is strong, but sometimes she needs someone to remind her what we're playing for. I've been mad beyond belief, and it's never made the situation better. I don't have a problem with her emotions, but she's my ally and if she sinks, I sink, and I may not be able to swim back up.

Elsewhere, Drax, Rick, and Brandon are sitting by themselves. Ulala and Sackboy went off to talk on their own, so that leaves the three guys.

"That raccoon's agile. If I swam quicker we would have had it won." The guardian comments, and Brandon nods, keeping to himself on this one.

"Put that energy into the next one. We get closer each time, so if we can get on the same page? We can get a win." Rick responds. "I believe in us."

"..You sound like a cult leader."

"C'mon man don't say that." Rick says with a laugh, but the destroyers face doesn't move an inch. "I am serious, have you heard yourself?"

"I'd say I sound like a leader."

"…"

"…ok you know what, maybe you got a point."

Brandon looks on, and his thoughts are aired.

Brandon: How did Drax remember that raccoon's name? Somethin's gotta give cause I can barely remember anyone's.

After the talk with Drax, Brandon decides to capitalize. He and Rick roam along the shore. As far as he knows, he's on the bottom so he needs to find a way up.

"You think Drax and Rocket know each other?" He asks. "It doesn't sit right with me that he just remembers his name."

"Jeff says everyone's name each challenge. I wouldn't worry." Rick responds, but the thought crosses his mind. Drax could have a free ally, and that's a big advantage.

"Those lads are gonna be big threats. He's a strong guy but he could always go to the machines."

"Don't see him workin' with that gator. Call me cooky but Rocket could actually help us." Rick defends. "If we get decimated we need all the help we can get."

Despite getting shot down, he persists. "We barely know him. Just saying."

"I get where you're coming from. Since it's crossed our minds, let's sit back and see what happens first."

"I can do that."

Rick: Those guys got a leg up in our favor. Drax has got a hell of a vendetta against the machines,he can get Rocket to lend us a hand. I don't know what's going on over there but if Rocket's in trouble! It's a blessing in disguise.

B-Roll of Brandon walking upsand is shown.

Rick: Brandon's got trust in me, but he needs to stop pushin' so hard or else Drax WILL bite his head off.

Private Island

Day 8

Clank, Cyrax, Dark Samus, Megatron, Mighty Gazelle, Monty, Rocket, Sektor, Silver Sonic

The machines arrive at the island, filled with all the fixins they can get. That gator couldn't be any happier. "ROUND TWO BABY!" he shouts, getting a seat immediately.

Monty: Hahaha, there's nothin like a hot streak!

The nine are sitting five on one side, four on the other. Clank decides to prop his team up after the close win they just had. "Despite our differences, we go together well-oiled. I can't wait to cherish this moment with you guys."

Megatron chimes in. "If we keep doing well, we will be able to cherish more. We are all serving this team well."

"Agreed!"

Megatron: I lied.

Shocker.

Megatron: We have our anchors on this team. If it's a physical challenge next, some of us can't handle it. But if I was brutally honest then we'd have a fight at the table. Not in the mood.

The machines enjoy the start of their time, but eventually, as is common with the tribe..a strategy talk takes place. Everyone's spread out in two's or three's.

Megatron's meet with Dark Samus is necessary to include, as the majority isn't a clear cut five.

"It's like we're the only two who know what we're doing in there. Infighting is a killer of alliances, yet the others decide that that's the way to go." Megatron vents. "The pecking order shouldn't be this difficult to decide."

"They can't be wrong. Their egos won't allow it." Dark Samus casually throwing shade.

"Our fates lie in eachother's hands, we don't need their egos getting in the way. Since we're the two that can see it coming, we should be the ones who lead." The decepticon's got an enticing offer.

"You've already stepped up. You put an end to their arguing so as long as you're still invested in this group, we will be fine. I'll step in too if needed." The dark clone responds, coming off as rational.

"You need to speak up more. If we work together to hold them back, we can make it all the way. I've already got a plan." He's already thinking about final five. Least surprising Megatron news.

"Already? I need to here this."

The Decepticon lays it all out. "Sektor and Cyrax have a bond. They WILL turn on us when the time is right, and if they don't believe I know, that's a fatal mistake. All we'll need to neutralize them is Monty. They are already at odds."

"Hehehehe."

"You see where I'm going."

"Better to be steps ahead than years behind." Dark Samus with quite the advice.

Speaking of, she gets more content in her confessional.

Dark Samus: I'm his number one and it's not even close. He thinks that It's a group effort, but as long as he's in good standing, I'll be by his side. If he isn't I'll throw him away and get another step on these players. I'm using him, so what?

Not shocking at all given her plans of the past.

She isn't done contributing. "Monty has a point about him (Cyrax). He's getting along with our enemies quite well. My suspicion of him won't go away."

Megatron nods. "Mine either, but it's another reason to cut the other four out of the picture. Leave him with Sektor, and Sektor alone so he can't go anywhere else."

The dark clone's got a smile in there. "He won't cut his best friend right away, so your plan is flawless."

"Or he could…but then that would make him look awful. Either way, we win."

Another Megatron confessional airs.

Megatron: If a swap comes, then I'll feel the pressure, and pressure makes me dangerous. I went from a farmer to a force when the heat was on, and the same will go here. Nobody man or machine will get in the way of the million.

There's another duo getting a little focus though. Out in the fields, Cyrax and Rocket stand together. The raccoon is very curious about the cyber lin kuei member's abilities.

"Got projectiles?" he asks.

"Plenty. Missiles, grenades, you name it." Cyrax responds, but the raccoon chuckles in his face. "How in the hell did they clear you? You're basically made to win."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Clucking is heard, and the two turn to hear the sound of chickens walking in the forest. "Wanna use 'em?"

"…my time to shine."

Rocket: I'm not an advocate for animal cruelty but we gotta eat somehow. Helps me get to know that Cyrax guy too. May look like a bot I can see he ain't one.

Cut to the two on the hunt. Cyrax is hiding behind a tree, ready to trap them while Rocket crouching behind a bush. Just like those old cavemen did back in the day. As the raccoon steps forward, he's got a twig in hand. He drops it and snaps the twig! The chickens scatter towards the that same tree…

A green net's shot at them! The chickens are wrapped up, with nowhere to go. The raccoon's astonished. "Haha that's badass!"

Cyrax steps out, closing his chest compartment on the way. "

"..know where I can find those?"

"Do you want surgery on your chest?"

"Been there, done that."

Rocket: This guy can fire nets at will! We don't even need to try huntin' anymore, Cyrax is our secret weapon.

Cyrax: Rocket's a breath of fresh air when there's no game involved. If he's as honest in strategy like he is in life, he'll make waves.

The two leave the forest with Cyrax carrying the net. The reward just got much bigger! However, they aren't alone. Sektor stands in the distance, watching them get a little close.

"Didn't expect the opposition to go this hard. Seems I've underestimated them." He says to himself. Dark Samus joins him by his side, having her own input. "The squabble with that gator hasn't done him well."

"Montgomery's opinionated. But he's not the sole reason."

"Do you believe the other side has a hold over him?"

"He knows what he's doing. Play the middle and keep his allies around. You can tell I'm his closest, there's no point in hiding it." Ooo Sektor getting honest. "He will stick with us at the end of this."

"And later?"

"Let's not think that far ahead. It won't do us any favors."

Sektor: It'll be a fight no matter what to keep our majority. I believe Cyrax will stay loyal to the Cyber Lin Kuei, but there's always the chance he leaves us to join the bottom of their alliance. If this is a Monty problem, then he shouldn't worry. The animatronic won't be the one to strike first.

Little did THEY know…a silver sonic is peaking at him behind a wall..undetected.

Silver Sonic: Those two spying just let's me know it's time to go to war.

Alright so there's even more developments. Brandon doesn't have faith in this Drax/Rocket situation at all. Daisy's also not loving the losing streak, but Chun and Rick are basically carrying morale when it comes to those two. Speaking of Rick, does he let Drax know what the speculation? If he does, is it smart?

The machines have their fair share of developments too. Rocket's another one against Megatron who's taken a liking to Cyrax. Cyrax may like him, and even a Gazelle too, but his loyalties seem to be with Sektor right now. Then again, they've never gone to Tribal yet. That majority's not doing much better either, it's a mess! Sektor/Cyrax plan to betray Megatron, Megatron/Dark Samus plan to stab them in the back, and Monty is doing god knows what!

Third challenge is coming up, and oh boy it's physical! 3C is coming out soon! Ticket out, see you there.