Homespun Episode Four: Encrypted Goods

...


At last, nearly a year after it came out Homespun may start in earnest. The monumental task of wrapping up it's predecessor complete, this story's now free to flourish without competition. Thank you everyone for waiting patently for it's return. Now let's get into some reviews.

Doctor Chaotic:

After completing that chapter I assure you, I am far more familiar with Tom Hanks filmography than necessary.

1602jaw:

Vultureman is an untamable spirit full of hidden depths and rich emotions. He's also quite loud and ridiculous, which is fun.

That Guy: It's still early but The Homespun gang are proving to be an interesting bunch to work with. I've been trying to spread my characterization around a bit more this season. I know it's a given that some characters are going to get the boot before they have a chance to shine, but honestly? Without spoiling what's in story I think everyone's going to have a half way decent showing this time around. Or at least, that'll be the intent.

MemeKing the Third:

Glad you're really enjoying Steve already. It's been talked to death of course, but these stories are a great way to get introduced to new characters. The Harrington is someone I discovered specifically because he was suggested for the fic, and if he gets you into watching Stranger Things like he did me than you're Tom Welcome.

thenewsubwayguy:

I put a needless amount of effort into these chapters, perhaps more than necessary. But I love doing it, and so long as you guys keep enjoying them I'll have a reason to keep it up so Tom Thanks for that.

Happiness Studios:

Fry is a gentle soul

But in all seriousness I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. I took your last review to heart and I'm quite satisfied by the results. Homespun definitely benefits from the lighter tone. I'm also glad you're not to upset to see Gary go. I like Gary but he's not very socially intelligent, at least not in an environment like this. Ultimately some one has to be the early boots and he seemed the type, but I'm happy he got to me memorable before he left.

...


...

Entrapta presses a button on her recorder

"Rodney House: Log 28: Day 3: Hour 19: Everyone is proving to be friendly in the Space Kingdom. Today we had another set of whimsical activities to pass the time. I'd like it if one of these "challenges" involved some technology one of these days, but so far they've been fun. Our squadron is unfortunately not faring well compared to the enemy as we're still without a base or force captain. However, that hasn't affected our morale! Everyone on the team is committed to winning and in high spirits. Very nice people, I particularly like Olivia. Always wonderful to meet a fellow scientist. She reminds me a lot of Hordak actually, I take that as a good sign.

What else? The kitchen servant here is still refusing my request for tiny food, so I've been sneaking into the kitchen at night to cook for myself."

"You've been doing what now!?"

Chef Hatchet stands behind her, running a dirty rag over his countertops. Dinner's been over for a few hours but most of Entrapta's team The Seismic Supertasks are still loitering about the cafeteria. A few more of them are on their cabin's porch or the roof, anywhere essentially that isn't their cabin's miserable interior.

"I should build a robot to cook for me." Entrapta says thoughtfully, completely oblivious to Chef's interjection. "Then I could save myself some time to do things like build other robots."

Chef grumbles to himself and walks off. Entrapta ends her recording and immediately rewinds it to listen back to it. As she's doing that someone else approaches, one of her fellow teammates.

"Oh hello, Bruce." She said idly without looking up.

"You really seem to be a fan of that recorder." Bruce Wayne observes.

"There's always all sorts of raw data around that has to be collected. Recorders are great for that." She tells him. "Do you want one? I've got plenty of spares."

Bruce gives her a vague smile.

"I would."

The cabins are still firmly planted in the middle of the strange glowing forest they had appeared in that morning. Presumably, the environment would be changing again at some point during the night, when he didn't know. Bruce didn't like the idea of being caught out while that happened but he had to risk it. It was far more dangerous to be overheard.

When he's finally far enough away for his liking, he hits the record button on the device Entrapta gave him.

"Alfred…" Bruce begins, his normally causal tone gone, replaced by something far graver. "I'm addressing this to you but I'm not sure if it will reach you.

I've made a mistake coming here. This isn't the charity gala I was expecting. It's something bigger, something far stranger. I'm not sure I fully understand it yet, this could all be a trick like something the Hatter or the Scarecrow would think up. But I've got a bad feeling this is real.

This O'Gleeson character that's part of the staff. I caught him working with the Joker a few months back, something about a cross-dimensional game show, whatever that means. If I'd known he was involved I'd never have shown up as Bruce Wayne.

Unfortunately, now I've gotten myself trapped. I can't change into my cowl without them catching on. Apparently, there's cameras everywhere and this is all broadcast to the public. If-"

Bruce pauses, and glances about again before continuing.

"If Batman just happens to appear here around the same time Bruce Wayne does people will start connecting the dots. Already some of one of my teammates might be suspicious of me. Elizabeth Bennet. Yes, that Elizabeth Bennet. Like I said Alfred this is a very strange place."

He sighs tiredly.

"For now, my only opinion is to lay low, convince everyone that mild-mannered Wayne is just an average contestant, good enough at challenges to survive in the game but not so good that it'd reveal my training. Just don't take this as me letting my guard down. Whatever's going on here, I will get to the bottom of it."

Sure enough by the following morning the environment surrounding the cabins have changed entirely. They're now floating in the middle of a large swimming pool surrounded by some lavish Mediterranean resort, something the Ordinals only discover when Shego steps off their cabin's porch and into the drink.

"Oh, come on!" She sputters. "REALLY MCLEAN!?"

The other contestants gather on their respective team's porches.

"Hey, nice place!" Miko says.

"I'd rather not get my suit wet though." Sam notes.

"Don't worry Houseguests, I brought a spare set of clothes."

The staff have arrived, Conner O'Gleeson, Chef, Rodney, Rosalina, the two princesses, and of course their host Chris McLean.

"Who's ready for another challenge contestants?"

"Whoa, Chris what's with the fancy duds man?" Steve asks.

Chris grins broadly. Their host is dressed to the nines in a tacky retro powder blue tux, besides him Chef Hatchet's wearing a hot pink translucent evening gown.

"Goes with today's theme." He explains. "…And I expect all of you to meet the dress code as well."

Several Toads run up, wheeling over a clothing rack, on which are rows of black tuxedos and richly coloured sparkling evening gowns.

"Neat," Miko said. "Yo, Conner! Why aren't you dressing up?"

"Because I'm already wearing a suit," Conner says.

"Yeah, but that's like your everyday outfit."

"What's wrong with that? You've seen what your normal outfit looks like?"

Miko shoots him a wounded look.

"Honey don't look at me like that! I didn't mean it!" Conner backtracks, adverting his gaze from Miko who's now intentionally looking as sad as possible. "Okay, seriously. Stop that. Stop it I say! You're making me feel bad!"

Chris shakes his head. "And that's why you're the weaker host."

"Right because you couldn't give a damn about these people's feelings."

"Exactly!" Chris laughs. "Now! Everyone, get changed!"

There's a change room next to the pool. The cast streams in and after a few minutes slowly begin trickling out, all now in their new highly formal looks complete with shades and cologne for the men and hair and makeup for the woman.

When Fry comes out he's for some reason snickering like a schoolboy.

"What's got you laughing then?" Penny Crayon asks

"I told Wallace I'd give him ten bucks if he wore one of the dresses." Fry giggles.

"Did he?" Meg asks.

Her Team Captain wheezes. His mood seems to have improved greatly from yesterday.

"In my defense, it seemed pretty funny…" Wallace says emerging from the changing room in gorgeous evening attire and matching makeup. "…though in hindsight, I realize I'm confirming some stereotypes about my sexuality."

"If it makes you feel better that dress fits your hips beautifully," Chef says. "

"You're damn right It does." Wallace agrees, taking a sip of his ever-present cosmopolitan.

Entrapta's the last to emerge, still in her usual outfit with the sole addition of a black bowtie.

"Uh, Entrapta dude. You know I wanted everyone to get dressed up right?" Chris asks.

"I like my regular clothes though." She says innocently. Chris shrugs.

"Fine, don't want the nice expensive dress we gave you? Suit yourself!"

"No, the suit didn't interest me either."

Chris ignores her and turns to the others.

"The rest of you want to try and guess why I've got you all presentable this fine morning?"

"Uh, I don't know. We look like we're going to I guess like… a Hollywood premiere or something?" Steve guesses

"Or the theatre." Says Elizabeth.

"Or some sleazy casino out by Las Venturas way," Tenpenny says. Chris snaps his fingers and points at him.

"Tenpenny's closest," Chris says. "Today's challenge is going to be a glitzy Vegas-style casino heist! …Or at least it was going to be until Conner reminded me that some of you are still children."

"Aren't we technically in Randy's magical little slice of nowhere?" Shego asks. "Why's there now laws out here?"

"So long as we're part of a Canadian production we are bound by Canadian law. I. E. no minors in casinos." Chris explains "Even with my ridiculously talented brain of mine it took me some time to come up with somewhere else exciting you could heist. That is until those delicious brain juices started to flow after I caught a glimpse of Conner exiting a hot tub and I was reminded of Sasquatch."

"HEY!" Cries his co-host.

"This way Houseguests…" Chris says

He leads them through the doors of the resort, even having seen the trick a dozen times now walking through one of the doorways of one place and ending up somewhere you'd never expect is still off-putting for some of the group. In this case, they're in the kind of place that belongs in an entirely different kind of resort than the one they just left. It's an upscale lounge with mirrored ceilings, plush furniture and ornate rugs. The kind of place that'd pair well in a Vegas casino.

"Those of age feel free to bevy up if you'd like…" Chris says gesturing to a bar. "Legal age is 19 in Canada for any American teens unaware." He winks to Meg and Steve Harrington. The two 19-year-olds give each other a wonderstruck look then make a beeline for the bar.

"So, we're heisting today that right?" Tenpenny asks, pouring a pale lager for himself. "Normally as an officer of the law I'd frown on that kind of shit but seeing as I'm out of uniform… tell me about this job you've got?"

Chris gives him a conspiratorial look. "I'd be delighted, Frank."

He snaps his fingers. Down from the ceiling comes a flat-screen monitor. A picture appears, one of a burly black man in a white suit, his face hidden by shadow.

"Contestants! I'd like you to meet the most notorious big wig in the Rodney House, Mr. Crypt.

"That looks like Chef," Jack says.

"It's Chef," Shego says bluntly.

"No, but the resemblance is undeniable."

"Uh-huh. Didn't you people say there's no real people in here besides us?"

"If the supervillainess in the front row could either suspend her disbelief or shut her face for the rest of the explanation, I'd appreciate it," Chris said giving Shego a look of impatience, one she responds to in kind before Chris carries on. As he does some up-tempo jazz begins to play from somewhere unseen.

"Mr. Crypt is the biggest white-collar crook in the Rodney House. Though he's kept his hands clean in front of the law. Whenever something totally serious goes down, he's always got his alibi."

"All the smartest crooks do." Tenpenny chuckles.

"What's our story with this Crypt character?" Bruce asks. "We're rival gangs looking for revenge?"

Chris gives the billionaire an exaggerated wink. "Exactly that. Excellent detective work Wayne."

Bruce goes slightly pale.

"I'm uh… Certain anyone could have guessed that."

"Suuure. Whatever you say, dude."

Chris gives Bruce several more obnoxiously overly-acted winks before continuing.

"You guys are going to hurt Crypt where it hurts, his private zoo!"

"We're robbing a zoo?" Shego asked already sounding disgusted with the idea. Chris laughs maliciously.

"Not just any zoo!"

The scene on the screen changes rapidly, several strange and unearthly creatures in naturally looking environments flash past. Some of which the contestants recognize.

"Beneath this resort is Crypt's pride and joy, The Rodney House's largest private collections of cyprids…"

The screen displays a Sasquatch.

"..Monsters…"

The scene changes to show Nessie.

"...Legendary creatures…"

A dragon appears

"…and just about everything else the crazy guy in your town claims to have seen in the woods!"

The dragon disappears from the screen, in its place a Jackrabbit with antlers.

"Yes!" Miko cries emphatically. "A monster hunting challenge! I am so ready to own this one! What!? What!?"

"You're jumping the gun there Toots," Max says. "Everyone knows a heist is supposed to be done all sneaky and quiet like. Something I happen to be a natural at."

"You are?" Sam asks.

"I am." Max insists.

Sam looks bewildered.

"That's certainly news to me."

"What's our target?" Wallace asks. Chris's grin broadens.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Can we?" Fry asks.

"No," Chris says. "It's a surprise animal you'll find right in the centre of the zoo."

He clicks a button and the screen changes again, showing now an overhead map of a zoo with two expansive wings, converging on a central exhibit.

"Here's how this is going to go down. Each team will assign a mastermind heist planner to be the brains behind your operation, a tech guy to stay in the planning room, do research and watch the screens, and finally a getaway driver, three classic roles no job would be without.

The rest of you will infiltrate the zoo from either side. Ordinals will take the left, Supertasks will take the right. You've got two ways to get to the centre, you can take the short way through the exhibits, risking your necks by contenting with the animals. Or you can take the long way around, and try and sneak through the halls without being spotted by Crypt's guards."

The screen switches to show several of Peach's toads roaming the zoo, all dressed in little security guard getups.

"Aw…" Gushes Fry and several of the girls.

"Be warned they're merciless, especially Toadette," Chris says ominously. "They've got guns that fire rubber bullets, and most of you show know from Red Light, Green Light those suckers hurt! Seriously! Also, if any of your team gets caught, the jigs up, and the zoo goes into lockdown mode, and if they get shot, they're out of the challenge."

"What about the vents? We gotta be able to try those right?" Steve asks.

Chris shakes his head.

"Big fat negatory there Harrington."

"Are you for real man? What kind of secret mission doesn't let you use the vents?"

Alucard raises his hand. "I have an inquiry."

"No powers today Count," Conner says. "For you at least… The Supertasks are down two-zip, I'd like to give them a fighting chance."

Alucard lowers his hand and grins.

"So be it."

"So we're either doing a stealth mission or fighting killer animals, I got that right?" Shego asks.

"Right, you got it," Chris says pleasantly.

"Okay great. Why are we in the fancy getups then?" She demands.

"Helps set the mood."

Guzma thugs at his tight collar.

"Really? Seems like they're just going to make things harder for us."

"Rest assured, I, being the excellent host I am put that into consideration when I made you dress up," Chris assures him.

Several contestants groan. Chris laughs gleefully.

"Alright Houseguests! What are we standing around for? You've all got roles to assign."

The screen lifts up again, revealing behind it two doors that didn't exist priorly.

"I'll let you classy crooks retreat to your heist rooms and start planning. You've got ten minutes to scope out the join, figure out your plan, and assign roles. Supertaskes, you're picking a mastermind, tech guy and getaway driver. Ordinals you're only picking for the last two. Seeing as you've still got your team captain, Fry will be your mastermind."

"Great, can't wait to lose our first challenge." Shego quips.

"Shego be nice." Katara scolds. "Fry is a great leader. He already won us two challenges."

"He spent the whole day yesterday crying over his girlfriend."

"But now that he's got that out of his system, I'm sure he's ready to give it his all. Right, Fry?"

They glance over at Fry; currently busy fishing ear wax out of his left ear.

Shego raises an eyebrow. Katara grins sheepishly.

Both teams file into their heist rooms. The space is bare concrete with a cheap foldable table and chairs. A blueprint of the zoo adores one wall, its surface littered with pictures and red strings attached by thumbtacks and pushpins.

In the Supertaskes side of the room, Herlock Sholmes paces back and forth.

"Gentleman! Gentle Maidens! The time is upon us!" He announces. "Normally, I, Herlock Sholmes, renowned private investor I am would never so much as dare break the law. But if that's what must be done to save this company from the doldrums of our culminating losses then so be it!

I shall concoct a criminal machination so devilishly complex and foolproof it'd drive the best men in the Scotland Yard madtrying to solve it!"

"You're gonna be our schemer then?" Penny pipes in. Herlock grins.

"…if there's no opposition?"

"None from me." Bruce insists. Tenpenny looks at him oddly then says.

"Actually Wayne. Why don't you be our mastermind?"

Bruce gives him a look of surprise.

"Me?"

"Him?" Herlock bauks.

"Herlock, you gave a hell of a performance couple episodes back, I think a kind of guy like yourself is better on the field. Wayne, you've got a good head on your shoulders. Smart guy, business owner. I bet you'd be a great planner."

"I- uh."

"I trust Tenpenny's judgement," Steve says slightly unsteady as he nurses his fifth drink from the bar.

"I'll second that. Using Wayne sounds like a fascinating experiment." Olivia notes.

"Agreed!" Chirps Entrapta.

"I suppose I can put my faith in Mr. Wayne." Elizabeth says. She gives Bruce an uncomfortably piercing look. "Much as Tenpenny does, I to suspect there's more to Mr. Wayne's talents than he's shown us thus far."

"Ah, the sting of democracy!" Swoons Herlock dramatically. "Very well then, Master Wayne, I bequeath to you the responsibility of our success."

He removes his hunting cap and places it on Bruce's head. The Billionaire now thoroughly perplexed

"I'm honoured gang, but I don't think I'm the best choice here. I don't know about anything about sneaking around, I'm more of a market economics, and dinner party sort of guy."

"Ah come off it! You'll be brilliant you will!" Penny Crayon assures him. Bruce bristles uncomfortably under his team's shared gaze.

"Well, if that's what the team thinks is best, I'll do what I can."

"That's what we like to hear," Tenpenny said bracingly. "Name your chair guy Master Wayne."

"Oh, I'd be good at that," Olivia says brightly.

"Oh me! Let me do it!" Entrapta begs.

Bruce narrows his eyes and surveys the two women, trying to pry them open. Entrapta seems harmless but there's something buried in Olivia's eyes that reminds Wayne of some of the people he's met back in Gotham.

"I think I'll choose Entrapta," Bruce says at once.

Better to keep Doctor Octavius in sight he decides.

Entrapta squeaks in delight and claps her hands.

"Oh! I won't let you down!"

Behind her, Olivia gives Bruce a good-natured, yet resigned look.

"Well, I'm a little disappointed." She breathes, pushing her octagonal glasses back into place. "But I'll make the best of fieldwork. As a scientist… I can't say I'm great with the physical side of these challenges… though I try and keep up with my yoga."

"Great man, who's our driver?" Steve asks with a hiccup.

Bruce looks from the inebriated teen, to the preteen Penny, to Elizabeth and Herlock who predate the car, to Tenpenny who'd be better used on the field.

Without much other opinions, he turns to his reluctant choice.

"Um… You wouldn't know how to drive would you?" He asks Sam and Max.

Sam and Max exchanged a look, before Max turns to Bruce, grinning broadly.

In the Ordinals Heist room, Fry's in a similar state to the one Herlock was in. Pacing the room in a fervour of excitement.

"Men! Listen up. I know you're all scared about this challenge-"

"Who's scared? I'm pumped!" Miko cries.

"I look forward to adding whatever new creatures McLean has out there to my Pokedeck!" Guzma boasts.

Alucard grins ghoulishly.

"I'm going to enjoy exterminating whatever loathsome worms are worthless enough to stand in our way."

"Guys no!" Fry cries. "Chris said we do this quietly. If my lovable friend Bender's taught me anything, that's the best way to steal things. Also having a tiny compartment in your chest probably helps."

"Ugh! Fine! We'll try it the boring way!" Groans Miko. "But if we get caught, I'm going down swinging!"

"When we get caught knowing you people." Shego quips.

"Okay! Let's go sneak pass, and also maybe fight if it comes to that Bigfoot!" Fry agrees. Several of his team cheers.

"Let's get 'em!" Miko cries.

"Let's **** them up!" Meg roars, like Steve, buzzed from the bar.

She, Miko and Fry charge the door.

"What about our roles?" Jack asks.

The three skid to a halt.

"Crap I forgot!" Fry says ruefully. "Okay, we need someone to stand here and look up a bunch of stuff for us. Uh… Zelda? Could you do that?"

"YES!" Cries the Princess ecstatically. The others stare at her surprised. She clears her throat embarrassedly.

"I'd be very happy to do that captain."

"I'll drive," Wallace says.

"You sure you don't want to be out there doing the heist with us dude?" Miko asks. Wallace smirks.

"And risk tearing this sexy ass dress? Not a chance."

He licks a gloved thumb and places it on his backside, sizzling like a stovetop as he does.

The contestants get into their positions, Entrapta and Zelda staying behind and pouring over the computers set up for them, Wallace, Sam and Max venture off to a loading bay where two vans wait for them, and the rest of the contestants gathered at either side of the zoo, ready for their break-in.

As usual, the staff (minus Chef who was mysteriously busy with something) have ensembled in Rodney's chambers, eagerly watching the vast screens before them. Chris presses a button on the console.

"Times up houseguests! Make with the heisting!"

He slides back in his chair, satisfied look on his face. Rodney frowns.

"I'm not seeing our cast?"

"Give 'em a sec." Conner insists. "Chris only wants visibly in the zoo, for some dumb reason."

"It's called dramatic tension O'Glesson."

Princess Daisy rubs her hands together.

"I can't wait for this one! It's gonna be so exciting. Just too bad a certain stealth queen I know isn't competing."

She throws a coy look at Peach, her friend looks away modestly.

"Yes, I suppose I have some slight practice sneaking around."

"Ah, nonsense! Everybody from here to the Lost Kingdom knows Peach's seen every nook and cranny of Bowser's castle by now. She wouldn't even need Mario if it weren't for those dumb lava moats the old Koopa's got."

Rosalina clears her throat.

"Enough Daisy. Peach doesn't need any reminding of Bowser."

"That's alright Rosalina." Peach insists. "After the adventures Mr. O'Gleeson's taken me on I doubt I'll ever be so helpless as to be kidnapped again."

She beams at Conner, who looks pleasantly surprised.

"Why thank you, princess. Nice to hear I had a positive effect on you."

"Sure you did," Chris says rolling his eyes.

Jeremy gives him a dejected gurgle.

"Ignore him Sugarbear," Conner says.

Jeremy makes another forlorn noise and slumps over. Conner raises an eyebrow.

"Jeremy?"

"There they are!" Cries Daisy.

On the screen, both teams have emerged into the dark hallways of the zoo.

Bruce Wayne slinks quietly through a backdoor, the other supertasks right behind him. The zoo is silent for the time being. The halls dark, illuminated solely from the light of the enclosers, all desert-themed in this area.

"Entrapta are you there? Over." Bruce calls into a walkie-talkie.

He gets no response.

"Entrapta?"

"Hi!" Chirps the Princess's voice.

"Entrapta you do see anything?"

"Do I? Oh, you wouldn't believe it!"

"What?" Bruce asks urgently.

"These computers!" Entrapta gushes. "Sure, I've seen better, and maybe I've just been away from technology too long, but oh! The setup our hosts have provided here! There's so many options to try!"

Bruce gives Olivia an awkward look.

"Maybe I should have gone with you."

"Don't be hard on her, she's excited." Olivia scolds. "Let me talk to the Princess."

Bruce hands her the walkie-talkie.

"Entrapta? Honey? This is Liz."

"Hi, Liz!"

"Hi, Entrapta. Sweetie, can I get you to do us a favour? See if there's any guards nearby?"

"Okay! One moment! I'll see what I can do!"

While they wait for her response some of the others glance around at the enclosers. As promised strange and mythical creatures stare down at them inquiringly.

"My goodness! They must have every beast and creature from classical mythos caged in here." Herlock exclaims in a low voice of wonder.

He gawks at a large exhibit filled with lion, eagle hybrids.

"Griffins!"

…Then at a cage filled with red and gold feathered birds, one of them bursts into flame and is reduced to ash, from the pile of soot emerges a hatchling of the same bird.

"Thunderbirds!" Herlock declares confidently.

His gaze arrives at a large rocky enclosure, high in the display crouched on a perch are a pair of strange beings, amalgamations of eagles and human women.

"Ah…" Says Herlock softly. "…and who who's read Homer could mistake the sight of the fearsome Harpies?"

"Holy shit!" Steve cries, stumbling over to Herlock and gaping up at the creatures. "Dude, I can tell if they're totally hot, or totally hideous."

Both harpies give him an offended look, then suddenly begin screeching as loud as they can.

Steve nearly falls over, the others look mortified. Almost instantly they hear the scrambling of little feet towards them.

"Move!" Tenpenny cries.

The Ordinals meanwhile have entered the zoo in front of a large enclosure, dense with foliage. There being no sight from where they stand of what may lay within.

"So great leader, what's the plan?" Shego demands.

"Win the challenge, beat the other guys, and get enough house points for a TV." Fry declares confidently.

"Yeah, wonderful. How?"

"Uh, hold on, let me ask someone smarter."

He retrieves his walkie-talkie.

"Hey, Zelda? Are there any monsters in the big exhibit in front of us?"

"It appears that forest has grown wild with dangerous beings."

"Forest?" Jack asks. Staring at the enclosure, which is large for the standard of the private zoo but far from abnormally so.

"What-Oh!"

Fry swings open the glass panel to the exhibit, at once a vast dark forest stretches out in front of them.

"… Yes, I should caution that the enclosers are far larger on the inside," Zelda said hesitantly

"What isn't in this place?" Guzma asks tiredly.

"Chris calls this a shortcut?" Complains Shego.

"Who cares!? It just means more monsters to fight!" Miko said happily. "Come on!"

Back in the desert wing, several toads scurry through the hallways. Two stop and talk to each other. For the sake of narrative convenience, their unusual dialect will be subtitled in standard English.

A toad with a red spotted cap shouts.

"Wah! Uh oh!"

[Terrible news friend, it appears we've lost our lead.]

His friend, who has blue spots on his cap squawks.

"Wa ha! Ha ha ho! Yay!"

[Fret not my dear ally, victory has not yet eluded us. Let us search another corner of this esteemed establishment.]

They both throw up their arms.

"Let's Go!"

[So it's decreed!]

They dart off. Soon as they're gone The Supertasks emerge from behind a corner.

"Damn, those things are annoying," Tenpenny says.

"I'm sure they'll be even less pleasant if they catch us." Says Bruce.

"Fine mess of things you nearly made," Penny says with a disproving glance at Steve. The teen lets out a cry of protest.

"How was I supposed to know those things were gonna start screaming and-"

"Keep it down!" Tenpenny hisses.

The gang goes quiet. They hear footsteps in the distance. After a moment, when they fail to sound closer, the team sighs in relief.

"Damn, mother fuckers." The cop says in a low tone. "If we had some way to take 'em out of the picture it'd just about make my day."

"How's about it Entrapta?" Olivia asks the walkie-talkie. "Anything you can do about these guards?"

"In a minute I'm rewiring my console!"

"Ah, of course. Excellent." Herlock says approvingly. The others look less impressed.

"Entrapta. Why exactly are you doing that?" Bruce asks.

"I think I found a way to optimist my setup with a little tinkering."

They hear a loud sound from Entrapta's end.

"Oops! Maybe not! I'll get back to you guys!"

The walkie-talkie clicks off.

"Some help she is," Penny complained.

"Sounds like we're going to have to rely on our heist master," Tenpenny says. "Wayne? What's your plan for the guards?"

A response springs into Bruce's mind immediately, yet for the sake of his persona he fanes a moment of deliberation.

"Gee gang, I'm not sure. If only we had some sort of sleeping gas, that always works in movies."

He had in fact capsules of sleeping gas on him, but there was no excuse why'd he be carrying them as a simple playboy. Again, he cursed his own lack of forethought. Then a new plan drifts into his head.

"… maybe we could make some."

"Ah ha! Of course! I'll get right on it!" Herlock declares.

"I think he meant me he did," Penny says.

"I did." Bruce clarifies. "Can you help us out Penny?"

"What a question that is!? Course I can!"

The schoolgirl quickly plucks her magic crayon from behind her ear and busies herself drawing. A moment later she's created a little barrel organ on wheels. She turns its crank and lullaby music begins playing.

In the distance they hear the sounds of yawning.

Steve glances around a corner.

"It worked!"

"Brillant aren't I?" Penny says proudly.

"That's not what I had in mind, but good job," Bruce says. "Come on."

They set off down further into the zoo, as they do Olivia gives Herlock an odd look.

"You know how to make sleeping gas?"

Herlock chuckles cryptically.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

The Forest encloser is a dark and gloomy place, overgrown and swampy with a dense canopy that blocks out any sunlight, (or lamp light, it's hard to tell what's above their heads). The Ordinals look terribly out of place in their evening gowns and tuxedos, sloshing through muddy puddles and tripping over roots in their dress shoes. All the while inhuman trills and calls echo through the trees.

None of this seems to have affected their captain though. Fry stands chipper and merry at the front of their pack, singing off-key to an old favourite of his.

"I'm walking on sunshine! Whoa-oh-oh!
I'm walking on sunshine! Hm-mm-mm!"

"Fry dude, can you cut it out!" Miko pouts. "You're scaring away the animals."

"I don't know, these two might have something to do with it as well," Guzma says, casting a glance back at Vultureman and Alucard's lumbering forms.

"Do you guys really want to run into Bigfoot?" Jack asks surprised.

"Heck yeah!" Miko says at once.

"Bigfoot's great. I met him once." Fry says happily.

"I'm not familiar with your people's legends, who's this bigfoot guy?" Katara asks.

"He's a guy with big feet," Meg says. Katara laughs.

"You don't say?"

"He's half human and half ape, and lives out in the woods," Fry explains. Guzma frowns.

"If it's part human then sticking it in a zoo seems unethical."

"What's that matter? There's a bunch of human zoos on other planets. Even the Planet of the Apes has one."

"The movie?" Meg asks.

"No, Simian 7. Me and Leela stayed there once."

Fry deflates slightly.

Katara pats him on the arm.

"Still miss her?" She asks.

"More than anything," Fry admits.

"She'd want you to keep going without her."

"I know," Fry says bracingly. "Don't worry, I'm not giving up that easily. You guys are great, and I want to make sure you have a captain to look after you."

"Couldn't live without you, big guy." Shego snarks. "Hey, Princess! We're not near any man-eating creatures, we might need to sacrifice someone to, are we?"

"Mercifully there are none in the vicinity for the time being." Comes Zelda's voice by the radio.

"Is there anything cool around?" Miko complains.

"There are some docile creatures near to you. To your left in the swamp theirs a gathering of Loveland Frogs."

They look and see gathered about six or so bipedal frogs half the size of a man.

"…and above you, you'll find if you look closely a nest of Jersey Devils."

They look up, perched in a nest is a pair of small, cloven, goat-like creatures with leathery wings.

"Sweet," Miko says.

"You're doing a great job Zelda," Fry says. Over the walkie-talkie they can hear Zelda smile.

"Thank you, Captain. Apologies for the outburst earlier… but I take great delight in researching strange beasts and creatures, oh it's such a wonderous feeling to discover something new about the world."

"We're lucky to have you Zelda," Katara says. "With you on our side, we're sure to win this challenge."

Static from Zelda's end. Katara frowns.

"Zelda."

"Just a moment." The princess says. "There's something new on the screens."

They hear her gasp.

"You must flee at once!"

"Finally, some action!" Miko says excitedly. The others around her brace for a fight.

"AWK! What creature dares challenges The Great and Mighty VULTUREMAN!?" Poses their avian ally.

"Whatever it is it's gonna get its butt whooped!" Miko laughs.

Besides them, the Loveland Frogs have begun croaking in alarm. Suddenly a black form swoops down from the trees and carries off one of the frogs, the others fleeing in alarm.

"Oh, man. Maybe, we should listen to the Princess." Jack says nervously.

"I implore you please do," Zelda begs.

"And give up a chance to make this part of my collection?" Asks Guzma with a laugh. "Not a chance! Tell me, what rare Pokémon am I about to catch?"

"It's moving far too quickly to identify." Zelda insists. "It's a Manaul, no it's not! It's a Mapinguari! No!"

The black form swoops down onto a tree branch before them. It's large and almost human but decidedly not. Two large wings and dense black fur cloak most of its features, the only thing discernible from its head are a set of insectoid antennae, and two large, bloody red eyes.

"…It's the Mothman."

The creature lets out a ghastly trilling noise. All Miko's confidence vanishes.

"Yeah, okay. Changed my mind. That thing's horrifying. RUN!"

They dart off screaming. The Mothman lets out a hideous cry, and most of the others follow after Miko. The creature on their tail.

"Zelda! How do we get out of here!" Fry asks.

"There's a door to the next enclosure directly ahead of you! Keep running!"

"Say no more!"

"Hurry up Meg!" Katara calls back.

"I'm trying but it's hard running in these heels!" Cries Meg.

"Why do think I threw mine away the moment we got in here!?" Miko asks. "Ditch 'em!"

"But I've never had shoes this nice!" Meg pants. The girl's falling behind. Mothman gaining on her rapidly.

"Hold on!" Miko shouts.

She disappears behind a tree, when she re-emerges, she's on the back of Ally, her ostrich like friend from last episode.

Meg looks amazed.

"Where'd she come from?"

"It's a Pokémon! She can summon it anytime!" Guzma says.

"Yeah, of course I can! What he said." Miko insists. "Meg! Hop on!"

Meg leaps and face plants into the dirt. Miko rolls her eyes and doubles back for her, hosting Meg up herself.

The Mothman lets out another screech.

"That door better be close!" Shego says.

"You'll reach it momentarily." Zelda insists.

"I see it!" Katara cried. "On three! One! Two! Jump!"

They dive for a glass doorway hanging in the air. All eleven of them bound through it. Most of the team landing in a heap on the other team.

"Yes! We made it!" Fry shouts. "Everybody alright."

"I think we're okay," Jack admits, retrieving his glasses. "That was scary though."

"Actually, I changed my mind again. That was fun!" Miko declares.

Jack gives her a look of disbelief.

"Where are we now Zelda?" Katara asks looking around. They're in a dark cavern filled with mist, smoke and embers."

Zelda's response sounds tempered.

"Fortunately, you've all successfully made it to the next enclosure. Which should lead you directly to the centre of the zoo."

Miko, Fry and Meg cheer, Katara however frowns.

"Why do you sound like something's bothering you?"

"Because… that encloser you're inside, it's the reptile house. Home to the zoo's collections of basilisk and dragons."

The other three stop cheering at once.

"Oh," Katara says quietly.

"Great. Wonder if Wallace is having as bad a time as we are?" Shego asks.

In the Zoo's receiving bay, Wallace Wells sits on the hood of the Ordinal's van, mild disinterest colouring his expression. Besides him Sam and Max sit on their own van, deep in conversation.

"…What I don't understand Max is why you had to end the night on such an unsavory note."

"Is it what it is Sam. You know I don't take rejection well."

"She seemed a perfectly pleasant waitress."

"They always do at first, but if I said it once, I'll say it a thousand times, if I'd know she was a robot I would have hit her thrice as hard."

"You certainly found a way to make the night memorable."

"Gosh, it was. Best anniversary we've had in years."

Wallace turns to the two.

"So are you two gay, or…?"

"Nah, we're just married," Max says chipperly.

"Oh," Wallace says.

They melt into silence for a moment or two before Wallace turns back to them.

"…What?"

Back in Rodney's office, Chris, Rodney, Rosalina and the two princesses sat watching idly the display before them. Jeremy's mysterious condition had been getting worse so he and Conner had left to try and tend to it.

The door to the room opens and in walks Conner. Jeremy noticeably absent. A look of bewilderment on Conner's face.

"What's gotten in that boy of mine?"

"Will Jeremy be alright Conner?" Peach asks. Conner shrugs.

"Hope so. Normally he gets like this after a hard night of hitting this sauce. Only problem is this is Old Sweet Cheeks white month. No sauce to be found, and yet there he is all the same curled up in bed with a tummy ache."

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry to hear that."

"Yes, it's a shame to hear your loved one is unwell." Rosalina agrees, somewhat curtly. Conner gives her a gracious smile.

"Thanks, Rosie."

"It's Rosalina."

"Right."

Conner sits back down.

"How goes Chris's most recent failure?"

"Ordinals got in a cool fight with like this big gross bug thing, but the Superfriends are being boring and competent," Daisy complains.

"Good for them I should say," Rodney says. "The Supertaskes could use a victory by now."

Daisy groans. "Yeah, but it's not fun if it's so easy."

"Oh, trust me, it's not going to stay that way much longer," Chris assures them.

The Supertasks stroll light-footed through sleeping hallways of toads. The team largely silent, save for Penny's lullaby. Their path lit by the bright desert enclosers, each one proudly displaying a different rare and exotic beast, save for one large exhibit that's empty supposedly due to it being "Chupacabra Mating Season"

"What do you think Chupacabra mating season's like?" Steve wonders aloud. Tenpenny shushes him.

"Keep it down Harrington."

"Sorry," Steve says in a quieter tone. "Just, the stillness, of this place man. I don't like it."

"On the contrary, I find this silence most agreeable," Elizabeth admits.

"Well I don't. Reminds of sneaking around places, fighting friggen monsters and Russians. Not shit I like to be reminded of."

"I must confess though I enjoy our surroundings for trivialities sake, it's not any stretch of the imagination that others may find it less comforting a place to be. Though Mr Wayne I've seemed to notice finds it most agreeable."

"So Tenpenny, not that I don't trust your judgement, but why did you think Wayne should be captain today?" Steve asks.

Tenpenny gives the teen a curious look.

"You a gambling man Steve? Play a lot of cards yet?" Steven gives him a look.

"You mean poker? If you're asking my folks then absolutely not. But… you know… I might have picked up the rules somewhere."

Tenpenny smirked.

"You find yourself playing Texas Hold 'em with a bunch of people you don't know, some of them seem to be playing better than you. What do you do Harrington?"

Steve thinks for a moment before answering without confidence.

"God… I guess I'd bluff."

"Yeah? Why's that?"

"….I uh… I don't know. Maybe get a better idea of what they might have."

Tenpenny chuckles softly.

"God damn right you are Harrington."

They've left the desert exhibits behind now and entered the aquarium. Enclosers that stretch out vastly beyond their glass fronts show different scenes and creatures. One with a diplodocus creature grazing on swamp ferns bears the name [MOKELE MEBEMBE: AFRICA] on its placard.

"…You can apply a lot of poker rules to life, like how the fuckers with the most money have the run on things, shortly followed by the people with connections."

Another exhibit with a creature only visible by its wake in an overgrown lake, the placard reads [BUNYIP: AUSTRALIA]

"…aspiration SOB I am I aspire to be the latter and later graduate to the former. Connect myself, enrich myself, live the American Dream and all that bullshit…"

Another encloser shows a storm-battered rocky coastline with strange black-furred elves perched on a sea stack, as the contestants pass the elves transform into ravens. The placard reads [PUCA: EUROPE]

"…I got connections back in Los Santos, matter of fact I am the most popular ***** in that overcrowded gangbanger paradise. I know those streets; I own those streets. Here though? Here I got to start from scratch, which…"

Tenpenny smiled.

"…Shit… Not to brag but I ain't doing too bad for a beat cop out of his precinct. But, and this is the piss in my fuckin corn flakes here, if any of us on this team want to last in this game we got to put an end to this losing streak and to do that, we got to start busting our asses here on two big questions. What we're working against, and what we got to work with. I'm talking people here.

Most of you folk are easy enough to get, but Wayne? He's playing his cards close to chest, and I want to see what he's got. If I've gotta bluff to do it, I will."

Steve's reaction was far slower and more dramatic than it would have been if he hadn't downed several shots while Chris was explaining the challenge.

"Holy shit. You think Wayne's hiding something!?"

"Could be. I'm not the only one that's thought about am I Miss Bennet?"

Elizabeth stiffens with importance, her Regency posture and mannerisms clashing sharply with the modern evening gown and makeup she'd been put in for the challenge.

"Mr. Wayne is without question the most stately personage here at the Rodney Estate. His outward character is agreeable on first glance and in usual circumstances he, excepting myself would likely be the only one of Mr McLean and Mr Squrriel's bizarre guests that would be welcome at a ball back in Hertfordshire. Yet that familiarity casts all the more clearly into relief that which is unbecoming of Wayne, and there is again without any doubt in the matter evidentially something unsavory in regards to his character.

For why else would he only offer trivialities of proper conduct and stay reserved about all else? Culture Shock is inadequate a motive. I dare say I've suffered at its hands far worse than any other guest, yet Mr. Wayne's reservations with this engagement appear far more severe. Most noticeable, his severe hesitancies to speak on all but the most trivial details of his personal affairs. Laughably he seems almost scared of all of you."

"But that's not a problem you've got?" Tenpenny asks.

Elizabeth looks thoughtful.

"Perhaps not. Curiously, most of you are so far beyond the social norms of my time one struggles to judge your actions by their standards, much, in the same manner, one wouldn't scold a child as harshly as one would a mature benefactor. Suppose in a way, experiencing a friendly competition so removed from said rules of civil behaviour it is, may I permit myself to say so, liberating, in some trivial manner."

"Damn Right." Tenpenny agrees. "Wouldn't you say Steve?"

He casts a look back to Steve who's been staring off glassy-eyed into the middle distance since Elizabeth began speaking.

"Uh, yeah no, for sure." He insists. "For like, good measure or something you should probably run it by us again in proper English."

Elizabeth gives him a coy smile.

"I have. Unless it's improper English you want it phrased as?"

"STOP MOVING!"

Entrapta's suddenly shrieked into the walkie-talkie, Tenpenny freezes, Steve keeps going and crashes into him, knocking both men and Elizabeth down.

"What is it?" Bruce says in a low voice. On the other side of the line, they can hear Entrapta squirming with agitation.

"I just fixed Barbara!"

"B-Barbara?"

"The Computer, she needed a name. Barbara just turned on again, and she says there's something in the hall in front of you that absolutely should not be crossed!"

The contestants glance about their surroundings. They've made it further into the aquarium. The dark hallways transitioned into an acrylic tube leading down a vast blue oceanic tank, none of its walls or creatures visible from their vantage point. The carpeted floor in front of them however seemed no different from any stretch that'd they encountered before.

"You sure about that? There's nothing there!" Penny says.

"Data never lies!" Entrapta cries.

With some hesitation, Steve, Tenpenny and Elizabeth rise to their feet. Elizabeth taking to opportunity to re-powder some of her smudged makeup. Bruce suddenly grabs the tin of compact from her.

"Mind if I borrow that?"

He pinches out a finger full and throws it ahead of them. The light dust falls, settling gently on everything in the hall, revealing as it does a maze of laser tripwires, cluttering the hallway.

"Mother fucker…" Tenpenny hisses. "We just went from heist movie to spy thriller!"

"Good call Wayne," Olivia says.

"…Yeah…" Tenpenny says, eyeing the billionaire with interest. "Quick thinking there Wayne."

"I was mere moments away from making the same discovery." Herlock declares.

"Erm, yes… Like the professor says, I'm sure any of us could have thought of it." Bruce says. He takes the walkie-talkie from Olivia.

"Well, Entrapta, can you turn them off?"

"I'd like to but Barbara's raising a fuss about it"

"It's a computer!" Steve interjects. "Just like… rewire its mainframe or whatever you tech people do to make the crazy shit happen."

"Alright, let me see what I can do."

The contestants wait impatiently while they hear Entrapta typing away.

"Nope! Not that! Won't work… Ah ha! I've got an idea! Stand back everyone!"

The lasers begin glowing brighter.

"What are you doing?" Tenpenny askes.

"Barbara won't let me shut down the system, but if I oversupply it with enough power maybe it will shut down on its own."

"Uh… Entrapta? That sounds a bit risky doesn't it?" Bruce asks.

They hear a deep melodic low tone somewhere within the abyss of the tank.

"….Besides…I don't think the monsters like it."

"What the hell kind of thing needs a cage this big anyway?" Tenpenny asks. "The Loch Ness Monster?"

Something very large swims past their tube, the creature vaguely resembling a long neck plesiosaur from the Mesozoic.

"Uh yup!" Steve says.

Tenpenny looks uncharacteristically taken aback.

"I was joking."

They hear another low call.

"Well then, I don't think Nessie's joking around," Penny observes.

"Actually, I think that might be Ogopogo," Bruce says.

"Looks more like the Lake Champlain Monster to me," Olivia notes.

"Or perhaps, all three at once," Herlock says.

Sure enough, there's three very large shapes circling them in the water now. Two plesiosaurs and a long winding sea serpent.

"Entrapta sweetie you might want to be quick about this, the light seems to be upsetting the lake monsters." Olivia says.

"Just a minute…"

The lasers glow a burning opaque red, the hum generated by them increasing in pitch until all at once…

"There!"

The lasers disappear, the system erupting up and down the hall like someone had set off a box of firecrackers. When the smoke clears, they discover a new hazard. Large cracks are spiderwebbing out across the acrylic sidings.

"Alright, there ain't no chance in hell that's safe," Tenpenny says.

"Don't worry, Barbara says that barring any unknowable variables you've got ten minutes before the tube fails," Entrapta assures them.

"You heard her, let's be quick about this," Bruce says, urging his team forward.

They follow him, hesitantly.

A large crash like an earthquake knocks most of them off their feet.

"What was that!?" Tenpenny yelps.

"Oh… I guess I didn't account for that." Entrapta confesses.

"Didn't account for what?"

"Looks like Champ's accidentally struck your tunnel… or was that Ogopogo?"

"I don't care what it was. The tunnel's still good right?"

"Uh….y-yeah. You might want to keep moving."

The cracks along the sides are widening. Spots of water bursting from some of them now as they pick up the pace. One strikes Penny, she cries out.

"Ah! Drat! That's about the worst thing that could have happened wasn't it?" She exclaims. The water melting her crayon-drawn pipe crank organ into sludge.

Almost instantly they hear Toads stirring behind them.

"Come on!" Bruce says. The group breaks into a full sprint, the end of the tunnel visible before them. Just as they reach it, several toads materialize in front of them.

"HEY!"

Bruce swerves on his feet.

"Other way!"

"Are you out of your fucking mind!?" Tenpenny exclaims.

"What choice do we have?" Bruce asks.

Then he stops again, all the Supertasks do. More of Peach's little subjects are marching up the tunnel behind them. They're surrounded.

"This can't be ideal," Elizabeth says.

"Ideal!?" Penny barks incredulously. "That's a fine way of putting things. It couldn't properly get worse than this could it!?"

Steve groans.

"Dude, don't ever say that."

Penny blinks at him.

"Why not?"

The tunnel gives, washing everyone, toad and Supertask alike away in a biblical deluge.

The Zoo's reptile house smells overwhelmingly of sulphur and brimstone as the Ordinals creep through it. Snakes slither at their feet when the contestants draw too close, they bite their own tails and go rolling away like a hula-hoop sent down a hill.

"The less time we spend here the better," Shego complains, hitching up the hem of her dress, already wet and frayed from their escape from the Mothman.

"Not that I'd normally agree with her, but she's right," Katara says to Fry. "We need to keep moving. Those other guys aren't going to keep losing forever. They may already be way ahead of us."

"Right." He says. "Don't worry, as captain I have a plan that probably won't get us killed."

Fry's phrasing causes his team to eye him nervously.

"It better be a good plan," Guzma says wearily.

Several minutes later the Ordinals find themselves on a ledge overlooking the back of a sleeping dragon.

"This is terrible plan!" Guzma hisses.

"What better way than to get where we're going than hitching a ride?"

"Any other way!" Shego snaps.

"What? How? Katara keeps saying her flying friend is great."

"Fry, Our gang has a flying bison back home." Katara points out apprehensively. "Riding a dragon is entirely a different thing."

"I'd strongly advise listening to her." Zelda urges over the Radio. "Dragons can be very proud creatures."

"It'll be fine, I was a dragon once, get what they're like," Fry says dismissively. "Who else on the team can claim that?"

They hear Zelda hesitate.

"Well…"

"Does anyone even know how we're going to control that thing?" Guzma demands.

"Awk! Leave that to Vultureman!"

Guzma grimaces in dismay.

"Can we quit stalling and do this already!?" Miko says, bouncing up in down in anticipation.

"On three." Fry declares. "One! Two! Now!"

"Now what?" Meg asks.

"Now go!" Fry cries.

"I thought you said go on three!"

"Someone said three!" Miko shouts, and she lets out a cry and leaps. Fry, Vultureman and with much dismay, the others soon join her.

Forcefully landing on its back stirs the great creature. Its reptilian eyes shoot open, its serpent-like neck jerks upwards, only for Vultureman to pounce onto its head and seize it by the horns.

"FORWARD SLAVE! YOUR NEW MASTER DEMANDS IT!"

The dragon lets out a piercing shriek of rage, columns of flame billowing from its open maw, The Ordinals wince.

"Hang on!" Katara cries.

With the unfurling of two great leathery wings, the beast rises into the broad cavern, the contestants clinging desperately to the spines along its back as it flies.

"It's actually working!" Jack laugh. Behind him Shego with a white-knuckled grip on the dragon snarls.

"Kid if you jinx this I swear to-"

"There's our stop!" Guzma shouts suddenly, pointing to the end of the vast cavern, where another door is waiting for them.

Katara cries again.

"Brace yourself."

Off the dragon's back, they tumble, the nimblest catching the less athletic and they land. The beast circling above them, thrashing about in disorientation. Vultureman lets out a long, sharp cackle.

"THANKS FOR NOTHING! FOOL!"

The dragon's throat begins to glow. They scramble through the door just as it lets slip another inferno. Alucard shuts the door and holds it firm.

"I can't believe that worked…" Shego says.

A sigh of relief passes around the Ordinals that slowly grows into a laugh of triumph.

"That! Was! Even more hype than the last escape!" Miko cries, laughing loudly. "I love this team!"

Katara shushes her, though she too is smiling.

"Appreciated Miko, but keep your voice down, we're not quite done yet."

"…But you are nearly there." Pipes in Zelda. "The target enclosure is right in front of you."

They've made it to the central atrium of the indoor zoo. Imposing skeletons and models hang from the brightly painted ceiling. In the centre of the room stands a large cage shrouded by a curtain.

"Seems we're the first to arrive after all." Alucard notes. "…and it appears we've been fortunate enough to arrive beneath the notice of the guards."

"Probably busy with Leela's old team," Fry says, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "Alright, let's see what our mystery creature is. Unicorn? Mermaid? Polar Bear?"

He draws close to the curtain, then leaps back in alarm. A snarling muzzle has just lunged through the bars at him, followed by another, and a third.

Shego pulls down the curtain. There in the cage is a black dog, similar to a cane corso, but larger than a bear. All three of its heads snarling at Fry.

"AGH! What the Hell!?"

"What is that thing?" Katara gasps.

"That, thing is Cerberus. The pride and joy of my collection." Crones a new voice.

The room suddenly goes into lockdown, metal blast doors block the exist, red lasers sprout from around Cerberus's cage.

A familiar figure creeps out of the shadows, burly and muscular with a designer suit.

"Oh, hi Chef," Fry says.

The figure snarls.

"The name's Crypt. Mister Crypt. And I applauded you scrawny ama-teurs for making it this far." His eye twitches dangerously. "I'd be impressed if it weren't for this little burning rage I got in me after seeing how you folks been treating my precious animals."

"Sorry Chef," Jack says earnestly. Crypt's jaw tightens like a vice.

"I Ain't Chef! And You folk ain't going nowhere."

A shot rings out, and something strikes Jack's elbow. He winches and rubs it ruefully.

"Ow…Hey! What was that?"

"Jack I think you're out," Katara said.

"I think, the big creepy tall guy was on to something about the quote-on-quote lack of guards," Guzma notes ominously.

Crypt sneers.

"Do not presume you were allowed in here out of hospitality. Isn't that right Toadette?"

A horde of toads materialize on the mezzanines overlooking either side of the atrium. At their helm is a pink-capped toad with mushroom pigtails and a pink dress. She like all her comrades armed with rubber bullet guns.

"Ha ha! Oh Yay! Yay!"

[Sorry friend! This isn't personal, just business!]

She cocks her gun, all the toads do.

Fry shallows.

"They're a lot less cute when there's a lot of them, and they have guns."

"Any plans to get us out of this one oh Fearless Leader?" Shego quips.

Fry blinks helplessly.

"Uh…. Katara?"

"I don't think I could take all these guys unless I had more water."

A rumbling draws the attention of everyone in the room to the hall opposite the one the Ordinals entered, where a massive wall of water is rapidly approaching.

"That enough?" Meg asks.

"That ought to do it," Katara notes causally.

The flood hits the room, washing nearly everything away. Katara braces herself and raises both arms. The water breaks around the Ordinals and Cerberus, both protected as the flood is redirected around them. Soon as it ends, they've leapt into action. A slash of Katara's waterbending frees the hellhound, it lunges only to find itself wrestled into submission by Alucard, Vultureman and one of Guzma's tougher Pokémon.

"Zelda where's our exit!?" Katara asks.

"Wallace should be waiting outside the front door."

"Get ready, we'll meet you guys out there!" Miko cries. Shego's managed to bind the Cerberus with a cable, Miko resummons her trusty bird mount, attaching one side of the cable to her.

"Mush Ally! Mush!"

Her bird warbles obediently, its task made easier by a slick of ice Katara's created under the great dog.

They're nearly out the door when the Supertasks, incapacitated but otherwise unharmed by the flood, begin coming to their senses.

"HEY!" Shouts Tenpenny. "The other guys are getting away!"

"Jolly well good for them…" Mutters Penny dizzily, the school girl's hanging off a potted plant and has at some point lost her glasses.

"You want to lose another challenge!?"

"Not really."

"Then move your ass!"

He scoops up the girl and places her back on her feet and plucks her glasses up off the floor. Soon as she has her sight back Penny's eyes go wide.

"How 'bout that! He's right!"

The rest of their team quickly gets to their feet.

"We've got company!" Shego says. Alucard grins.

"How unfortunate for them."

He turns back and gives a dramatically intimidating pose.

"You're all about to find out what happens to does foolish enough to attempt to stand in our-"

A rubber bullet bounces off his cheek. Alucard jerks his head like a raptor, finding himself staring down the barrel of Crypt's gun.

"You're dead White Boy."

Alucard gives him an amused look.

"I already was, but so be it."

He goes stiff and falls to the ground face forward.

More bullets follow, soon the atrium's under a hail storm of them as the Toads come back to their senses. Both the Ordinals and Supertasks scrambling to avoid them.

"Gang, it's looking grime." Bruce says, sheltered with the rest of his team behind Ogopogo. "We might have to think about another elimination."

"You ain't quitting on us that easy Captain." Tenpenny says sternly. "Those fuckin snipers lay off us a minute we can catch those other motherfuckers easy."

"Say no more!" Herlock declares.

Suddenly he vaults over the downed lake monster.

"Go friends! Be gone and make haste, I shall fend off our foes."

He picks up a downed toad's rifle and with a great cry of triumph begins firing into the mezzanines.

"He really is a bit mad, isn't he?" Penny notes.

"All the best are," Olivia says, turning on their waterlogged walkie-talkie. "Entrapta sweetie, we're on our way out."

"Right!"

They duck and scamper off after the Ordinals. Leaving Herlock to his fate.

Several bullets find their mark, he grunts melodramatically as they strike him, then falls to his knees.

"Devilish fiends! Curse you all I am slain!"

He clutches his chest and seizes up.

"…The rest… is silence."

He flops forward and collapses next to Alucard. Jack looks at them uncertainly.

"What do we do now?"

"Dead humans don't speak child." Alucard grunts from the floor.

"Oh, right," Jack says.

He flops down to the ground next to the other fallen contestants, sticking his tongue out exaggeratedly.

Wallace, Sam & Max are in the midst of a causal card game when Zelda arrives, then comes out pouring from the front entrance the Ordinals, their precious pooch in tow.

"WALLACE START THE VAN!" Yelps Fry.

"We'll continue this later," Wallace says to the Supertask duo, placing down his cards and hopping into his van. The rest of his team pile in after him, and they go speeding off. Seconds later The Supertasks come barreling out of the zoo.

"Where's Entrapta!?" Tenpenny shouts.

Entrapta bounds merrily out of a side door waving behind her.

"Bye Barbara! Remember to write!"

Tenpenny grabs her by the scruff of the neck and hoists her into the van, the others hop in, Steve gesticulating at the windshield.

"Dog! Rabbit! They're getting away! You guys need to gun it and drive wild!"

Max beams.

"Well, ain't that convenient? That's the only way I know how to drive!"

"You heard kid Max," Sam says. "Floor it!"

"With pleasure!"

He accelerates so quickly that half his team are knocked over in the back of the van. The Supertaskes take off like a bullet down what must be the busiest freeway in The Rodney House, towering over them glittering in the night sky is a skyline of resorts and casinos that would put the likes of Vegas and Macau to shame.

Serving past commuters who only exist for the sake of the challenge Max rams the back of the Ordinals van with his front bumper, they can hear Cerberus agitated barking.

He pulls a megaphone from somewhere unknown.

"Freelance Police! Stop the vehicle!"

"MAKE US!" Shouts Meg.

"You've stolen something from a wanted criminal of the law. Fork it over, and let us steal it instead! Also…"

He turns to Sam.

"Sam we're running a dognapping racket here, and you're a dog, those this count as trafficking?"

"Max little buddy, it's times like these where I try not to think too hard about questions like that," Sam assures him.

A bolt of green energy soars out of the Ordinals van, Max takes a hard right to avoid it, sending his team skidding out of control.

Leaning out the driver's side window Shego laughs.

"So long Coppers!"

"That should buy us some time," Fry says hopefully. "Wallace! How long until we hit the safe house?"

"Should be soon, there's only one complication."

"What?"

"In all the excitement of today, it slipped my mind that I don't actually have a driver's licence."

"WHAT!?"

"Blame Toronto's acceptably efficient public transit. But it's fine, we're gonna make this work."

"You know you're in the wrong lane, right?" Shego demands.

"Who cares!" Miko demands, sticking her head out the window and surveying their surroundings. "So long as Wallace doesn't hit anything, we've got this in the BAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

"Baa?" Shego asks.

A familiar red-eyed black winged creature lands on the hood of their van. Mothman has returned.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

The Supertasks have regained their control but not their speed.

"Go on then! Hurry up already!" Penny demands.

"Gee lady I'm already driving as recklessly as I can." Max insists, serving past another vehicle so abruptly they hear it crash into something. He peers into the rear-view mirror and squints.

"Ah criminy, that'll be a headache."

"What's eating you, little buddy?" Sam asks.

"Well, we got good news and bad news," Max says plainly. "Good news the Other Guys seems to have gotten mixed up with some tough customers from back at the zoo."

"What's the bad news?" Elizabeth inquires.

"We're about to do the same," Max says.

Something shoots off their driver's side mirror. The cast turns and sees Crypt and the toads fast gaining on them in a Hummer limousine. Crypt hoists himself out of the sunroof and leaps onto their van. Punching the backdoors so hard they dent inwards.

"Man, Chef really takes his roles seriously huh?" Steve asks.

The glass window of the back door shatters, Crypt reaches through and grabs Steve, putting him in a chokehold.

"STEVE!" Tenpenny yelps.

Crypt snarls at him.

"Guttless street-level thieves like you deserve to be entombed."

The cop gives him of low of disbelief, then rage.

"Thieves? THIEVES!? ***** we ain't even got a chance to steal anything yet!"

He slams his fist into Crypt's head, striking the criminal between the eyes. He lets go of Steve, and falls from the van, tumbling onto the road and rolling under the wheels of his own limo.

Steve winces as he gets up.

"Think we're gonna get into trouble for that?"

Tenpenny sniffs indignantly.

"So what? That's why he gets for messing with our crew."

"Thanks man."

"I got you Harrington." Tenpenny turns to Sam and Max. "Now put the pedal to the metal and get us that God. Damn. Dog already!"

Ahead of them, panic grips the Ordinals as Mothman punches through their windshield. Cerberus growls furiously

"WHY IS THIS GUY BACK!?" Shego yells.

"He must have followed you out of his enclosure." Says a very fretful Zelda.

Mothman thrusts an elongated arm through the windshield, thrilling and gesturing angrily to Miko.

"Miko! I don't think he likes you!" Fry declares helpfully.

"What did I do!?" Miko shouts.

The Mothman shrieks. Miko glares it down.

"Look dude, me and my buds here have a challenge to win, so you can go ahead and BUG OFF!"

A blast of energy knocks the cryptid off their van. The Ordinals find Miko, arm outstretched, the electronic gauntlet from episode one smoking slightly on her wrist.

"How long have you had that!?" Katara gasps. Miko blanched slightly as if she's made some sort of error.

"It's uh… a Pokémon thing?"

"There's no Pokémon tool that looks like that!" Guzma cries. Miko sighs.

"Good to know."

She flashes them all with a blinding light. When it dissipates the other Ordinals and Cerberus look dazed for a moment.

"Uh… The Great Vultureman feels he may have spaced out for a moment." Confesses Vultureman.

"Yeah… I completely forget what was supposed to doing?" Wallace says dreamily.

"Uh, you're supposed to be driving bro," Miko says helpfully.

"Right…" Wallace says.

His eyes go wide.

"SHIT!"

The van clips another car with enough force to send it airborne. The Ordinals cry out in terror as they're sent flying.

The van careens through the air, flipping front over back several times and rolling until it's reduced to a twisted husk of scrap metal.

With a pained groan, the contestants and their stolen prize stagger out of it, seemingly without serious injury.

"AWK! Nice driving, you nearly got us killed!" Vultureman squawks irritably

"I feel like that should have killed us," Guzma says, mildly confused.

"Are you upset it didn't?" Wallace asks.

"Well, it killed our chances of winning," Shego complains.

The Supertasks van overshot them, then U-turns so that the front of the van is facing them. Their competition looks smug.

"Prepare to taste the sweet flavour of failure Ordinals!" Tenpenny shouts.

Cerberus growls, the team stands guarded around him.

"Got any more crazy plans, Captain?" Katara asks Fry. Fry shallows.

"Just one."

"Is it stupid?" Guzma asks.

"I mean I thought of it so probably." Admits Fry. With a nod of approval Guzma smirks.

"Good."

At an unmarked safehouse nearby the staff are gathered awaiting the contestants. Conner has Jermey propped up in a gurney for support. His poor assistant looking rather dire, bloated and discoloured with illness. Conner places a damp towel on the protrusion of pink flesh that counts as his friend's

"…I'm serious, I'm worried about you big guy."

"Uh, Conner? You mind doing that later, we've still got a challenge to wrap up." Chris says, mildly annoyed.

"My little buddy takes priority over your most recent poorly thought-out challenge Christopher."

"For your information, this challenge like everything to ever come out of my brilliant mind is amazing, and intricately plotted down to the last detail."

"Right. Explain the last three then."

"We didn't forget anything this time!"

"Ah Christopher that does remind me, we did tell the contestants they'd be meeting us here to complete their challenge, didn't we?" Rodney asks. Chris blinks.

"Uh…"

A large dark form leaps over their heads and lands behind the staff, crashing into a series of dusty crates and boxes.

It's Cerberus, and clinging faintly to his massive body are the Outlandish Ordinals.

"Bam! One dog delivered sir!" Fry cries.

"Ordinals win their third straight immunity!" Chris declares.

The team breaks into celebration.

"SQUAWK! VICTORY IS OURS YET AGAIN!" Caws Vultureman definitely.

"Nothing can stop us!" Miko declares.

Mothman lands in from of them, the Ordinals cry out in alarm.

The cryptid gestures sporadically, waving its arms around like an impatient retail customer.

"DUDE! Seriously! What do you want!?" Miko demands.

It trills irritably, then sticks a hand in a pocket of its own furry body, searching for a moment before it pulls out something and shows it to her.

"Miko…" Katara says slowly. "…. Are those the shoes you left in the enclosure?"

"Uh…"

Miko blinks at the Cryptid.

"Wait… Mothman? Have you just been trying to be a homie this whole time?"

The creature nods emphatically.

Miko laughs in embarrassment.

"Ah man… Sort of embarrassing here. We got you all wrong."

She accepts the shoes awkwardly.

"Sorry about the whole, attacking you thing. We cool?"

She sticks her fist out. They fist bump. Mothman then pounds his chest twice, flashes a peace sign and fades away.

"Wait, has The Mothman always been able to teleport?" Chris asks.

"It seems that he can in my house," Rodney says with a fascinated tone.

Chris shrugs.

"Weird. Anywho…"

He turns back to the contestants.

"Ordinals, congratulations on winning yet again. As a special prize, I'll even let you keep the dress clothes I gave you this episode. Don't say I never did nothing for ya!"

The Ordinals inspect themselves, they're all completely bruised and dishevelled, their clothes dirt-stained and torn.

"Wow Chris. Thanks." Katara says flatly.

A sputter of a muffler alerts everyone to the arrival of the Supertasks, none of whom look happy except Entrapta.

"Supertasks!" Chris declares. "You-"

"…Lost again. We know." Steve says shortly.

Bruce Wayne gives a resigned shrug.

"Guess I wasn't the right man for the job. I'll try harder next time gang."

"I think it's clear we exposed some more faults in the team," Tenpenny says. "…And I'm not just talking about our supposed heist master mind."

He gives a sideways glance back at Entrapta who waves happily.

Olivia, standing away from the rest of her team furrows her brow and looks past her fellow contestants.

"Conner? What's wrong with your friend."

"Poor Jermey's gotten dreadfully ill," Peach informs her dutifully.

"Yes… and I'm having the damnedest time figuring out why," Conner says distractedly.

Without warning Jermey seizes up and doubles over, he retches and gurgles, making deep guttural sounds even worse than he normally those.

Then his cheeks bulge and he leans back and hacks something out of him with enough force to dent the side of the Supertasks van.

Conner rushes forward to pick it up. Several contestants wince in disgust. The object seems to be a smooth, black stone with arcane symbols engraved into it. Conner cradles it reverently and gives Jeremy a pained expression.

"Sugar Bear say it ain't so?"

"What is it?" Daisy asks curiously.

"It's one of Jermey's gastroliths of destiny," Conner reports. "He coughs one of these suckers up once every five years."

"Oh…" Daisy says slowly. "What's that mean?"

"It's a sign must migrate back to the scared heartland of his kind and replenish his life juices from the mother goo."

"Ew…" Fry says.

Conner looks at his friend stricken, now that he's coughed up his stone Jermey seems to have returned to normal.

"Well, this is terrible. I'm… God I'm honestly upset about this." Conner says. "Jeremy! This means you're going to have to leave the show!"

Jeremy brays sorrowfully.

"Oh, how horrible Conner!" Peach cries.

"That is most unfortunate," Rodney says sympathetically.

"Good riddance!" Chris declares.

The other staff turn and give him an accusing look.

"Am I the only one that doesn't like the gross slime monster!?" He shouts.

"Regretfully this also means we'll be down a staff member," Rodney informs him.

"We have like, a ton of toads dude. It'll be fine." Chris insists. "Also Chef, who needs to come and take these contestants down to the showers. They reek with stress sweat and it's starting to get unbearable standing next to them."

He looks around.

"Anybody seen Chef?"

The supertasks glance at one another awkwardly.

"About that..." Begins Bruce.

"Keep your shirt on I'm coming!"

Chef Hatchet marches into the building, dressed in his normal clothes and looking no surlier than usual.

"Oh, hey Chef, we kind of thought you died," Steve says.

Chef raises an eyebrow.

"Beg your pardon?"

"Last we saw you, you were being run over by your little criminal goons," Max explains cheerfully. Chef gives him a tired look.

"I told you people I ain't Crypt!"

"But-" Penny begins.

"He was one of Rodney's freaky robot people," Chef says. "…and you people messed him up something bad."

He holds up the mangled remnants of the Crypt robot. The Supertasks wince.

"That's news to me. So where were you all day then?" Conner asks.

"Baking." Chef asserts.

"You can bake anytime! We had work."

Chef folds his arms crossly.

"Ain't much fun baking when a certain somebody keeps sampling my goods without asking."

Princess Peach whistles innocently.

Some hours later the Supertasks are back in the café, having showered, changed back into their normal clothes, and now have reverted to their normal behaviour outside a challenge, that is avoiding their cabin at all costs.

The mood is stormy as they wait to be summoned for yet another elimination ceremony. Even Entrapta, normally above all forms of negativity looks mildly concerned as she starts another recording.

"Rodney House: Log 32: Day 4: Hour 17: Failure! Finally, we have had a challenge with some amount of tech. I was enthralled naturally, yet my abilities don't seem to have… helped us somehow. Strange. Awaiting our hosts summon for elimination ceremony. Thought of going back disappointing, though Princess Peach did bake me a tiny cookie last time. Very delicious, must get her recipe.

Team morale has suffered some since last ceremony. Squadron talking amongst themselves in low voices now. Wonder about what?"

She stops her recording and plays it back. One of the other Supertasks approaches her. This time It's not Bruce.

"Hi, Liz," Entrapta says without looking up.

"'Trapta hi there sweetie how are you?" Olivia asks.

"I'm good. Just taking data." Entrapta says. "What's everyone talking about over there?"

Olivia nudges her glasses back into place and makes her tone casual.

"They're talking about who we're going to have to eliminate tonight."

"That's a shame. Who's the unlucky friend?"

Olivia scratches the back of her neck.

"Nothing's been decided yet of course, but everyone was very… put out by your performance as our tech guy."

"Oh." Entrapta says.

A moment later the words find their mark within Entrapta's aloft mind, and the girl deflates somewhat.

"Oh…" She repeats.

"I thought it would be kinder if you knew ahead of time," Olivia says. "Believe me, I don't want this either. I like you a lot 'Trapa, but it's their vote against ours."

Entrapta gives a little sigh and looks up at the ceiling.

"That is a shame."

"'Trapa if it makes you feel any better, if I win I'll share some of the prize money with you. That good?"

"The money wasn't what interested me. We don't really use much currency back on Etheria. I was hoping though it'd be able in this kingdom longer, keep studying long."

She brightens up slightly and claps her hand.

"It really is incredible the level of magic and technology on display here. This Rodney fellow's a master of the craft. I'd love to have learned more about what he's created. But…"

Quickly as she brightened, she fades again.

"… I guess that won't happen now."

Olivia taps her chin thoughtfully. Pretending to make up a scheme that she's in actuality had thought out for several hours now.

"You know Entrapta… If that's all you care about, I might have a solution for you."

Entrapta's spark returns. She looks up hopefully.

"Really? What?"

There's not much of a difference in the cozy elimination room tonight. Nothing seems standout from the last four nights they'd been there.

Chris, the Princesses, Rodney, and Conner enter the scene. Chris carrying his plate of cookies, in one hand, A half-eaten cookie in his other. He shoved the rest of it in his mouth and sucks the chocolate off his finger.

"Ah man, I love me a good Cheat Day, and you people must love these cookies as much as I do."

His eyes settle on the Supertasks.

"Four straight nights at the elimination longue. You dudes must be getting tired of the place."

"Very." Tenpenny.

"Much as I'd love to draw out your personal turmoil, I'll make this one quick. Seeing as one of our staff members is a little beat up about this one. Isn't that right Rod?"

Rodney nods, the master of the house looking unusually glum.

"You've all casts you're vote and made your decision," Chris tells the Supertasks. "When I call your name and toss you a cookie, you're safe. No cookie means hit the road.

The following contestants are safe:

Olivia…

Penny…

Sam & Max….

Herlock…

Elizabeth….

Tenpenny….

Steve…"

It's down to Bruce and Entrapta, Bruce casts a slightly awkward glance at Entrapta, who's seemingly returned to her normally bubbly self.

"Last cookie of the night goes to….

…..

..

…Bruce!" Chris declares. "Entrapta! You're out!"

Entrapta bonds out of her chair, her expressive pigtails shrugging for her.

"Ah well… you win some you lose some."

Rodney sighs dejectedly. Peach pats him on the shoulder.

Entrapta scurried over to the squirrel eyes full of innocence.

"Mister Rodney Squirrel! Could you walk me out? I don't know the way back home from here."

"Yes, I'd be happy to Entrapta," Rodney says melancholically.

He takes her by the hand and escorts her through the door to the outside world. Chris slams it behind them.

Rodney sighs once more.

"What's the matter?" Entrapta asks.

"Truthfully my dear Entrapta I'm rather broken up about seeing you leave so soon. I know we've only just met, yet there's much I admire about you. You remind me so strongly of my younger days."

"That makes sense. Liz did say, me, you and her are all kindred spirits."

"Undoubtedly so, I agree. There are so few like-minded people around here, I would have been happy to have you around much longer. Tell me. Did you enjoy my creation at least?"

"Oh! It was wonderful Rodney! Your house is one of the most impressive pieces of technology I've ever seen. Even the First Ones would have been jealous of it."

"You must return someday, I'll give you a proper tour."

"Oh, I'd love to come back one day! Things are peaceful at home now and Hordak would understand if I was gone for a while. Anytime that works I'll be there, and if there's anything I can do for you in the meantime, just ask."

Rodney pauses and looks at her. A sudden thought having emerged in his mind.

He smiles thoughtfully.

"Perhaps there is something you could do for me?"

Back in the elimination room, Entrapta's portrait goes dark. The Supertasks rise slowly to return to their desolate cabin.

Tenpenny however stays where he is.

"Alright! Before we go back, I'm getting a word in!"

The others stop and pay attention to him. He gestures behind him to the wall of portraits, of the four that have gone dark, three are now former teammates.

"I'm getting real fuckin' tired of this! I've known you a couple days now, I know there's some strong people on this team. But we need to start getting our shit together, else those other ***** keep picking us off one by one. You people want to see that happen?"

"Well, what are we supposed to do about it?" Penny asks.

"I think it's high time we get some honest to god discipline around here," Tenpenny says. "This time's been suffering from day one from a lack of leadership. I say we're in need of a new captain! Only problem is deciding who?"

"I mean it's obvious right?" Steve says with a laugh. "You should do it!"

Tenpenny faints surprise. "Me? Nah Steve I'm just a humble beat cop."

"Cops get shit done man. I've seen it back in Hawkins. You've been busting your ass all game for this team Tenpenny, you're a perfect leader."

"Mr Harrington, crud as always, does make a rather compelling argument," Elizabeth says.

Several of the others shout words of encouragement. Tenpenny throws up his hands.

"Hold on now, before we get ahead ourselves let's do this properly. We're all either Americans or Brits here, so we're gonna go about this the proper democratic way. Anyone else want to be leader raise your hand."

"I nominate myself!" Herlock declares. Tenpenny nods.

"Another show of hands who wants Sholmes to be leader?"

Penny, Sam & Max, and Herlock raise their hands.

"Now who wants me?"

Tenpenny himself, Olivia, Steve and Elizabeth raise their hands, a second later with some hesitation so does Bruce. Tenpenny nods.

"Very well then. I humbly accepted the responsibility placed on my shoulders. Hey McLean?"

"Yes Frank?" Asks Chris, seeming humoured by what's just transpired. Tenpenny smirks at him.

"Take a good long look at us Supertasks. It's gonna be a minute before you see us back here."

The team cheers and they trail out of the room, Tenpenny trailing after them. That smirk still holding firm on his lips.

Everything was going to plan.

Chris chuckles and turns to the audience.

"And so…"

Back in Rodney's study. Conner watches the scene unfold on the display before him. He presses mute and turns to the audience.

"So that's our episode for tonight. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it because I didn't.

Chris it seemed finally delivered a half-decent challenge and in doing so threw the stars out of alignment and forced my beloved Jeremy out of the game."

He sighs.

"I'm really torn up about that. 'Conner!' I hear you cry. 'Why get so emotional over the big slime ball?' Well, he's my Slime Ball alright. I don't care if it's weird. He's my little buddy I go travelling everywhere with. It's going to be a real drag around here not having him around. Also despite what McLean says, Jeremy does a lot of work around the place, a thousand toads on hand or not, we're going to have to get someone to replace him. Probably my other old assistant, Jeffrey Sawicki."

Conner groans in displeasure.

"I am… not a happy camper at the thought of that. But que cera cera. Despite my emotional torment, the show must go on, and provided a new assistant doesn't show up tonight I'm sure we'll be forced to deal with the unpleasant consequences of Jeremy's departure, next time! On Total! Drama!-"

The door to the study unlocks. Conner jumps up startled.

"Good evening Conner."

Conner clutches his chest in relief.

"Oh! Rodney… It's just you."

"Conner… Did I overhear you recording an outro?"

"…. No."

"I don't mean to intrude, I merely thought that was one of Christopher's responsibilities."

"Yea- uh… Um. It's not… but I see how you could be confused. Everything's been out of order now that we're short-staffed."

Rodney smiles.

"I may have a solution to that. It seems a new intern has made herself available to stay with us for the rest of production."

He opens the door further.

Entrapta is standing behind him. Her eyes shining with excitement.


Current Rankings:

23rd - Raggedy Ann

22nd - Turanga Leela

21st - Gary Smith

20th - Entrapta


While I like to have my elimination orders set in stone before I begin a season sometimes they'll fluctuate as I'm doing research. For Homespun there were a couple different contestants who's rankings went up or down and I learned more about them. None more so than Entrapta, who I was torn between making either an early boot or a finalist that stays on all season. Ultimately I made the call to cut the preverbal knot, and move Entrapta onto our season's cast of staff members, which narratively seemed to open the most doors. Quite a number of long running character arcs have started kicking off this episode, the result of some are obvious, others are going to remain a mystery for quite some time.

For now though let's focus on the immediate future. Next time on Homespun we'll be borrowing heavily from a certain world building project by the artist Trevor Roberts. Chris, Conner and the interns will be sending the contestants off on a camping trip in one of the Rodney House's stranger National Parks, where they'll journey down into a fleshy "Funderground" filled with all sorts of unique geobiological wonders, broken philosophies, and copious amounts of late-stage capitalism. Rest assured, there will be blood... and thirteen dollar plastic water bottles.