Man

Day 9

Sarasaland's princess is sitting alone, nibbling away at some rice. The talk with Chun-Li yesterday raised her mood a little bit, but these conditions take her a couple steps back. Add all the losses onto that list, and she's still a little sour.

Enter Sackboy, who's hiding something behind his back. Daisy spits him and can't help but smile. "Hi." That's when it clicks with her. He doesn't usually just walk up to someone with his hands behind his back. What gives?

The sack can't stop smiling and let's her come to her own conclusion. "Whatcha got there?" she asks. He reveals a DOZEN daisies! Did he have to cheat to get those? Probably. But is it generous? Absolutely!

The princess spots a note that comes with it. It's not romantic, and from how the sack's approaching this, it's from kindness.

"I saw you had a bad day. Hope these flowers cheer you up, you always say daisies are your favorite."

— Signed, Sackboy.

He put all his Little Big Planet powers into that, honestly, sweet note.

Daisy puts a hand on her heart. "Awwww…" she snatches him into a hug. "Thank you. I needed the pick-me-up.."

The sack just gives a thumbs up.

In confessional, she's in a better mood.

Daisy: He's the best friend you can have! He'll be there to pick you up, and remembers all the details! Me and my girl Peach LOVE flowers! His actions spoke louder than any words could.

Immunity Challenge

Day 9

"Come on in!"

The machines enter first, and when they spot a circle, it doesn't take long for the lightbulb to show up.

Monty: I don't care what Sucktor says, Clank's sitting this one out. We don't need one of our own getting stomped out.

They come to a stop, and get greeted by Jeff. "Hello again, machines."

Then, the seven repping humanity enters the challenge area, determination on their faces. Nows no time for depression, it's time to fight. From the looks of it, they'll need all the willpower they can get. Once they come to a stop, Jeff gets to explaining.

"Alright. Since we're all here, you know what's next. Immunity's back up for grabs. For today's challenge, you're going to wrestle your opponent out of a circle. It'll take all the physicality you can get." Jeff explains. "This will be played in seven rounds and the first tribe that wins four out of the seven, earns immunity, guaranteed to thrive another day."

Yippee!

"The losers on the other hand, will see me at Tribal Council where someone will be the third player voted out."

Oh.

"Man has seven, machines you'll need to sit two people out,"

Clank's actually the first to raise his hand. "If you don't mind Jeff, I don't believe this is my strong suit. I trust everyone else here will do a great job."

"Ok, that's one…"

Rocket steps forward. "We got seven killers on this team, ring me up when there's a puzzle." That gets a few laughs, and he and Clank walk over to the bench, no dismissal from Jeff needed.

With the sit outs done, Jeff moves onto the next stage. "We'll draw for matchups and get started…"

First Tribe To Four, Wins (Clank and Rocket sat out):

#1: Brandon vs. Sektor

#2: Ulala vs. Cyrax

#3: Rick vs. Silver Sonic

#4: Drax vs. Monty

#5: Sackboy vs. Megatron

#6: Daisy vs. Dark Samus

#7: Chun-Li vs. Mighty Gazelle

#1– Brandon vs. Sektor

The two stand at the center, ready to rumble.

"Here we go, first round. Survivors ready?"

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"GO!"

They take eachother head on, but it doesn't take long for Sektor to start pushing Brandon back! Brandon gets his hand on the mask, but Sektor just LIFTS him off the ground…

…he gets tossed out!

"Just like that! Sektor gets the first score on the board!"

While the machine tribes ecstatic, humanity's shook. "D-did he actually do that?" Ulala asks, and Rick sighs. "We're in for a rough day."

#2— Ulala vs. Cyrax

The two don't enter silently.

"So you're the ace in their hand huh?" Ulala asks.

"You'll find out."

"Oooo the confidence!

Jeff looks on.

"Second round. Survivors ready?"

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"GO!"

The reporter takes the initiative and pushes the bot back a couple steps. Unfortunately for her, the cyborg pushes back harder and has her on the ropes.

"Go low!" Daisy shouts.

"He's a robot. There's no groin to harm." Drax responds.

"Anything for the dub."

In the end, Ulala tries but the force of the actual cyborg is too much, and she's wrestled out of the circle.

"Cyrax scores another point for the machines!"

The two head back to their teams. Cyrax gets his flowers.

"You could have done that without your new body." Sektor praises. "Just shows how skilled you've come to be."

While Cyrax takes that in. Megatron turns to the next one up in Silver Sonic. No friendliness is detected in either of their eyes.

"Don't blow our lead." The Decepticon says, but the silver clone…isn't afraid. "No need to dismantle me if I do."

"Are you threatening to throw?"

"With your sourness it's tempting."

"Channel that anger onto the elder." An elder? Wow. Anyone 40 or above's just old I guess.

#3– Rick vs. Silver Sonic

The two come face to face.

"Third round, can Man get back in it? Survivors ready…"

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"GO!"

Silver shoulder blocks Rick instantly! The officer hits the ground and Silver lifts him up Gutwrench-style, carrying him near the edge of the circle.

Yet the officer forces himself out, and clings onto the bot's legs! This time he's in jeopardy! Rick does his best to force Silver out of the circle.

"Don't disappoint us!" Megatron shouts. "Cut him from his knees!"

"Kick his ass Rick!" Chun shouts.

Monty gives the Decepticon sideye.

Monty: These people are hootin' and hollerin'. I'm just tryna watch can y'all shut up?!

Rick clings on for dear life, not wanting take an L. Silver uses his force to spin Rick towards the end of the circle. One push later…is all it takes. Rick's out of the circle.

"Silver Sonic scores a third for the machines!"

Rick rolls to his feet and heads back to his tribe, brushing the sand off. The disappointment is obvious. "Game point." Drax stops him though. "If the gator's next, I will put us on the board."

"Show us that destroyer."

Drax grins and walks down, his gator enemy ahead of him sliding his shades down. "Hell, here we come."

His thoughts are interrupted when Silver Sonic dashes onto his team and gets in Megatron's face! "Consider yourself satisfied." The Decepticon stares. "Not good enough."

"Nothing satisfies you."

"Rick almost shoved you out. I'll make sure the sack doesn't even have the chance too."

Man, Megatron isn't giving him any credit at all. Just stuck in his ways.

#4– Drax vs. Monty

The two stand across from each other. Given how they don't hold back, choice words are exchanged.

"Your muscles don't scare me, big guy." Monty comments.

"I've pulled robots apart limb from limb. Be careful what you say or else—"

"Or else what? Gonna beat me up?"

"Obliterate you."

Monty shakes his legs. "Oh shiver my Timbers! YOU'RE the top dog?" He turns to the Man's bench. "Hey ladies if you ever need a top gator, I'm your guy." One wink later, and the WHOLE bench cringes.

"Ew…" Ulala mutters.

The Kylosian has no emotion in his eyes after that. Monty might be in trouble, as Jeff kicks the match off.

"Game point for the machines. Survivors ready?"

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"GO!"

Drax spears him INSTANTLY! He lifts him onto his shoulders and walks over to the edge as his tribes freaking out!

"TAKE HIM OUT!" (Daisy)

"You got it!" (Chun-Li)

Sackboy's jumping up and down like this is the happiest day of his life!

As Drax goes to finish him, Monty brings that Metal foot down onto his! Drax releases his grip for a split second and the animatronic basically chokeslams him onto the sand!

Humanity gasps as Monty tries dragging Drax over to the end, not even wanting to pick him up. The guardian kicks the robot onto his rear and gets to his feet. Monty's agitated and actually swipes at his face…but he ducks!

"It's over." (Rick)

Drax gets behind the bot and launches him onto his back ! Monty clutches that for a second, but he's in for a rude awakening as Drax catches him on his knees…he lifts him up.

You knows what's coming.

Batista Bomb!

"WOOOO!" Ulala shouts, getting some sweet Justice for Monty's behavior earlier.

"Drax puts Man on the board!" Jeff shouts, rushing up to the loser. "You ok?"

"My necks been through worse."

Jeff returns to his place as Monty heads back to his team with a massive L…and a snarl.

Monty: …That f*cker's gonna pay.

Drax returns his team, who's moods have lightened just a bit. "Nobody creeps out my teammates."

"You're a sweetheart!" Ulala exclaims.

It's a nice scene, but the show must go on as Sackboy and Megatron take to the field next.

#5– Sackboy vs. Megatron

The two couldn't be any more different. Ones a small, friendly sack. The others a big mass of Metal who has little remorse.

A confessional airs where the sack's with Chun-Li. The background looks like the challenge area, so no deficits. It explains why they're both smiling.

Chun-Li: You're going to smoke the competition.

The sack nods to that,

In Megatron's confessional, he's staring through the camera.

Megatron: It's a shame such an innocent creature is going to be dismantled this quickly.

Sackboy raises an arm to his tribe, cheering him on. Megatron just keeps that stare on. His tribe is silent, observing what he will be doing.

They get ready to rumble, as Jeff speaks again. "Fifth round, two more to go. Sackboy could get another point, and Megatron can seal the deal. It's good old David versus Goliath."

Here we go.

"Survivors ready?"

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GO!

Megatron charges him out of the gate, but that boy slides under him and scales him like a tower! He gets those brown hands on the bot's eyes, looking to blind him. His team cheers him on as the Decepticon feels his own neck up to find the sack.

Unfortunately for boy..Megatron catches him. He wraps the sack into his big hand, and brutally slams him down! Humanity's alarm immediately goes up when Megatron pins him to the ground…

"Go easy on him!" Ulala shouts.

"After what Drax did, he's not treating Sack with kid gloves." Rick responds.

Drax looks closer, and looks as Megatron pins one arm down and leaves the other open. His eyes widen, understanding what's about to happen. "He's not treating him with any gloves."

Megatron CLAWS into sack's right arm, cotton flying out! Sack gets his free hand on the bots face, but that gets pinned down and targeted too!

"I..I can't watch this…" Daisy says, looking to step in but Brandon gets in her way. "DON'T. You'll give him a point."

"I don't care if he wins, he's hurting my friend."

"He could toss him out any minute, now just—" he's cut off when Drax decides to run in too! He gets close but it takes Rick and Ulala to hold him back.

"Unhand me!"

"NO!"

Megatron hears this and picks up Sackboy upside down, more cotton dropping. Sack can only squirm, his arms basically immobile.

Even the machines aren't supporting this. Dark Samus is just watching, but Cyrax is questioning this. "Why be so cruel? You had the advantage regardless." he says, and Sektor actually goes against the deceptiocn's thinking. "Not just that, but he's making himself the biggest target. This dismantlement strategy will kill his game."

Monty rips his shades off. "Are you shittin' me?! Just put the boy outta his misery!"

Clank's just disheartened. If he could cry, he would. "Why?…."

Rocket and Gazelle aren't happy campers either. "If I didn't like him enough, now I HATE him!" Gazelle shouts, turning to Rocket. "He had an easy win, he doesn't need to DisManTlE him!"

"…."

"Rocket?"

Silver Sonic chimes in. "I suddenly feel more comfortable in the game."

"That's cool and all, but nows not the time to boast." Check him, Rocket!

Back in the circle, Megatron walks towards the end of it with that sack and looks at the angered tribe. "This is how the game will go. My team trampling yours."

Daisy and Drax want to maul him, but the line between game and reality is getting to them. Chun decides to get involved and heads straight for the circle. Jeff knows that this is going to hell, and makes a call.

"EVERYBODY STOP!"

Megatron drops Sackboy, and all eyes are on Jeff, who heads over towards the circle. "MEDICAL!" In no time, the medical team on standby attends to Sackboy, who's arms are just swinging around.

The silence is overbearing. All anyone can do is watch the doctors evaluate the boy. It takes a f few seconds longer, for their Doctor to explain.

"What's it lookin' like?" Jeff asks.

"Well you see, his arms aren't doing well. He can't really move them right now. There's a chance he could recover, but he lost quite a bit of the cotton he needs to hold himself together. We can see if any of our solutions work, but if they don't, we may have to pull him. I wish we could give you the verdict right now, but we don't want to jump the gun." The Doc explains.

Jeff nods and turns to Sackboy, who's tired look doesn't help anyones worries. "You still have some hope of staying in this game..but you should still go with medical and see what they'll do. Your safety is more important than this game."

The sack's lip quivers. "I know that hurts to hear. But we are all with you…"

His tribe's souls are crushed in stereo. The brightness they had in their eyes just a few minutes earlier is gone. They're all looking down, a few eyes already watering. A possible medical evacuation isn't fun to watch on TV, but being there in person is worse.

The cause of this sees the glares of fourteen others. A certain someone's probably pretending to be upset but everyone else has standards. Just a short-sighted plan that could end his game right here.

Jeff informs everyone of what's next. "Since we don't know the status of Sackboy, Tribal Council is postponed until further notice. If he's ok, we'll run this back tomorrow. If not, there won't be a vote.

A night of safety isn't what anyone cares about.

"All of you can head back to camp..and I HOPE that nothing like this ever happens again. Good night." Jeff dismisses, staring right at the Decepticon who is the first to get out of there. He' going to get an EARFUL.

The 'Man' tribes upset and doesn't even get the comfort of keeping someone. Their teammate's safety is at risk.

In confessional, Ulala's face is red, like she just got done crying. Three words sum up how everyone feels about that Decepticon.

Ulala: ….

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Ulala: Screw that guy.

Machines

Day 9

"He barely did anything!"

The source of that shouting's from a raccoon, giving Megatron the heat. "What made you snap?!"

"It was just the best strategy. Nothing personal."

"N-nothing personal? NOTHING PERSONAL? You destroyed him, it's absolutely personal!"

Rocket: I'm at the end of my rope with this guy! Someone's pet could get ran over and he'd be the driver.

He's drug to a private place by Gazelle and Clank, who are in the same boat. "What, I can't vent?" Rocket asks.

"You can..that's why we took you here. He won't listen, but we will." Clank says.

The raccoon's silence is persistent for a good ten seconds. It takes a little time to find the words for what he just witnessed. "If you aren't a parent, you won't get it."

"Did you?…"

"He's fine Clank. But he was innocent. Had the same smile…" Gazelle puts a hand on his back. "You're angers justified, don't let him 'logic' his way in. I'd be pissed if that was my son in there."

Clank chimes in. "My closest friend is basically a brother. If that was him, I'd be in your shoes as well. If Megatron can do something so vile to an innocent boy he barely knows..then imagine what he can do to anyone else."

Since Gazelle and Clank can relate, the raccoon puts his walls down. "Yeah it's why I'm SICK of him. If he still has control after this, we're surrounded by idiots."

Gazelle corrects him. "He's not going to have it after what he just did. I won't be shocked if he's a one bot army."

"It's a fate befitting him." Clank replies, no mercy in his tone. A rarity from such a gentle robot.

Gazelle: What he did was so brutal, I don't even think SEKTOR will support it. That says a lot cause we are not on good terms.

Cut to Clank's confessional, where he's on the same page.

Clank: I don't like wishing the worst. It feels morally wrong. But if everyone turns on Megatron, it may not bother me. I will look like a hypocrite after including Silver Sonic, but he never caused someone to be evacuated.

Meanwhile, Cyrax and Dark Samus have a one on one near the camp. Sektor's probably speaking to the assailant, and Monty's resting up after that Powerbomb.

Curiosity is getting to the cyber lin Kuei. The two haven't clicked yet, and now could be the time.

"How do you feel about this turn of events?" Dark asks.

"It's a tragedy. It was a physical challenge but Megatron took it way too far. Now most of us are re-evaluating what to do." Cyrax admits. "If we don't address this, he'll cause more damage."

"We can try, but he won't listen. He's too stubborn." You got that right. "..say while we're here, do you mind hearing me out?"

"If it involves keeping the alliance together, that's up for debate."

"Hear me out, Cyrax. As long as he's here, nobody will come for the rest of us. We don't have to be his minions, we can use his own actions against him." She explains.

"But is he stable enough to fall for it?"

"He's too focused on keeping us together.

Cyrax forces a response out. "Hm. Let me think this over."

"Take allll the time you need."

Cyrax: It's smart to use him as a shield, but I can't move past this. It's worrisome that she'll ignore his sadistic side just to get further in the game. She might already be out of her mind if she thinks everyone will keep working with him.

Dark Samus disagrees.

Dark Samus: Cold-blood comes in handy. Cyrax doesn't see the value in using Megatron as a shield, so his strategy doesn't have much. He could rat me out, but it's either preserve me, or a maniac who can tear you apart at any second. Choice is easy.

Man

Day 9

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

When they get back, Daisy is heated. This isn't because of competition anymore, it's the human aspect getting involved.

"—and this guy has the audacity to look us in the eyes! OOOO he's literally the worst person ever…" she vents. "All he had to do was shove him out, he didn't need to.." her voice cracks and she starts to tear up.

She's not the only one as Ulala can't help herself. The reporter tries to get words out, but can't bring herself to. They cannot sit in the silence forever, so the street fighter breaks it. "He was lucky Jeff stopped everything."

"He shouldn't have." Drax responds.

"…."

It's rough times for the tribe. Drax normally craps on Monty for fun, but the hate for Megatron is clear as day in his next confessional.

Drax gets the next confessional.

Drax: When that terrorist ripped Sack's arms he looked me in the eye. That bastard KNEW what he was doing…

The destroyer slams his fist into the tree next to him.

Drax: I've tried to grow from the man I once was. Angry all the time, tearing things apart for vengeance. Every time I think about what he did, it brings that side out of me again. It's a side I don't like. The Powerbomb on Monty doesn't count because he asked for it.

Fair enough.

Drax: If the time comes, and Megatron keeps pushing, then I'll show him why I'm nicknamed "The destroyer." Nobody hurts my friends.

Most people have a soft spot somewhere, but Drax is ready to go scorched earth on anyone associated with that Decepticon.

Soon after the aftermath, someone's pulling up to the island in a boat: It's…Jeff Probst?

The tribe's questioning why exactly he's here, but it doesn't take long for a quiet consensus to form. "Oh it's Jeff…oh.." Chun's not thrilled.

"What business does he have here?" Drax asks, getting no response. "Um..this isn't good." Brandon whispers to himself, having a good idea of what the host is about to tell then.

Jeff leaves the boat, and approaches the tribe. "Alright. Before I got here, what was happening? You all seem a little dejected." He says.

Rick speaks up. "We're hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. It's not fun man."

"Definitely not….well since it's obvious why I'm here, I'll be the bearer of bad news. Sackboy..will NOT be coming back."

Rick leans forward and looks at the ground. A majority follow suit, not meeting the host's eyes. "I understand how much it hurts to see someone you like leave this way. Sackboy seemed like a nice guy to have, always had a smile on his face."

"Sure was.." Drax mutters.

"But unfortunately, someone's foolishness screwed him over. It does suck, but his bad news, is your good news. There won't be a challenge tomorrow, and you won't have to worry about losing anyone else for a couple days." Jeff says, trying to lighten their mood.

Despite the news, nobody's happy. Drax is glaring at the ground, Chun's frown is obvious, and Rick's still got his eyes on the dirt. They still lost someone regardless, and it's easy for Jeff to tell. "If nobody has anything to say, I understand, and I'll see myself out. Have a good night."

Doubt their night will get better, because this one challenge has soured their whole day. There may be some hope for tomorrow.

Jeff speeds off, leaving the remaining six players alone again. Some are able to get up and head elsewhere, but the sheriff gets up and it's obvious he's still hurt by it. Chun notices and takes the initiative. "Do you want to talk about it?"

The guy takes a deep breath. "I can't let it fester."

"It's better this way. Don't bottle it up." Chun reassures him, before getting into the thick of it. "We all liked him.

"..Daisy said all I can about it. He's f*cked in every way." Rick admits. "Monty can mouth off all he wants, but Megatron's still target number one. That's all I have to say."

"Will you be ok?"

"I'll be fine. Just..I shouldn't have accepted this. Mind giving me some time alone?" Rick requests.

"Just don't do anything you'll regret." Chun warns.

"Again. I'll be fine."

The following confession shows that he in fact, isn't fine. He's got a death stare on, a rare sight from a sane man on the island.

Rick: Nice going. You just f*cked yourself over. It doesn't matter if you come crawling to us for help, cause you killed any good-will you had. Officer Friendly's not gonna give you a hand.

The episode cuts away from both tribes..to a bandaged up Sackboy walking towards a boat. He winces while doing so, the pain felt every time he swings his arms. He got a number done on him, one that has ended his Survivor run.

The door is opened for him, and he takes a seat inside with a doctor in front of him. The boy's quivering, ready to cry at any second. That Doctor decides to move over and be by his side.

"You'll be ok…."

The sack stays silent and as the boat starts, he looks back at Borneo one last time. That's when tears flow down his skin. It's like his heart was torn in two.

They are feeling it back at camp.

He's feeling it now.

Nobody deserves to go out like this. He raised his teammates spirits, and did the best he could even with how he looked. Unfortunately, this is the end, all because of one robot's brutal strategy.

Confessional Count:

13– Rick Grimes ( + 3)

12– Daisy ( + 3), Chun-Li ( + 2)

11– Megatron ( + 4)

10– Montgomery Gator ( + 5), Rocket Raccoon ( + 3)

9– Drax ( + 2)

8– Mighty Gazelle ( + 2), Cyrax ( + 2), Sektor ( + 1), Ulala ( + 1), Brandon ( + 1)

7– Dark Samus ( + 3), Clank ( + 2), Silver Sonic ( + 1)

Eliminated:

4– Nabbit, Sackboy ( + 2)

3– Porky

Nobody deserves to be medavac'd from the game. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy unless they do something catastrophic. Sackboy was genuine from what we saw on the Man tribe, and for someone as innocent as him to get torn up by someone as vicious as Megatron, had to hurt for his teammates to see. Megatron took it too far, and it's definitely ruined how not just all of their tribe see him, but also how his own sees him. If he leaves next, it's deserved.

Episode four has more fallout from this, more camp life, and more character moments. Those three chapters will be released soon, with 4A coming at the earliest. Ticket out, have a good one.