(AN) Hello, hello, hello! Welcome to the first bonus chapter for this story! These chapters are an opportunity to catch up on the eliminated contestants. It also allows me to try out the format without relying on the aftermath. Considering I've enjoyed writing this by the time I reached the end of the chapter, I'd say it's a success. I hope you'll enjoy the reunion with Granball(Greta), Xatu(Xanthippe), Raichu(Randy), and Vanilluxe(Valin)!
(Disclaimer) I do not own any of the Pokemon except their original personalities. Nor any content from Total Drama.
Retrospective Resort #1
Day 3 - Post Granball's Elimination
In every reality TV show, eliminations were involved, meaning players would lose and be forced to exit the game for good. All the selected contestants for the show had varying degrees of hope that they could be crowned the winner and claim a life-changing prize. However, they were all aware that only one person would transform their dream into reality - one out of twenty-six. It meant that twenty-five of them would experience losses, anger, grief, regrets, a hit to their self-esteem, and would forever be plagued with what-ifs.
As the eliminated contestants left the island and the memories they made, both good and bad, flashed through their minds, the only question left for them was this - where would they all be staying while the game was going on?
The answer to the question was received when the Wailord reached the dock, and a Grumpig lifted someone off of him using his telekinesis and then wheeled her away.
Greta Penfold, aka Granbull, could only stare at a place that would become her home for the next two and a half months. It was a two-story building with triangular roofs. If one gazed at it from above, one would notice it was shaped like a giant L - rather fitting, since it would house a group of losers. There were palm trees lined up to the entrance. Before Grumpig wheeled her inside, she noticed a large sign nearby, revealing its name as Retrospective Resort.
She muffled in pain, feeling one of her feet hitting the door. She growled like a rabid dog at Grumpig, who freaked out and stammered a series of quiet apologies. As he wheeled her faster, Greta stopped grimacing, and her eyes became vacant.
One sharp pain returned her mind to the horrible and terrifying moment with a certain blimp Pokemon earlier today. It was still fresh. She could remember feeling his hand on her throat. Remember being carried away, feeling like he was about to drop her at a hundred feet without a warning. And then he did. Remember all the pains he delivered to her afterwards.
Remember his chilling red eyes glaring into her soul…
By the time she arrived at her suite, she was trembling and whimpering with tears trickling down her face - a far cry from the cruel and brutal person who entered the game.
Day 7 - Elimination Day
Greta sat outside by a large, rounded pool with a Poke ball painted at the bottom. She could only stare at her surroundings to keep her mind occupied, trying to ward off thoughts of him. There were beach chairs positioned around the pool. There was a path leading to the beach for everyone to enjoy should they decide to take a dip in the big blue. There were tents for anyone who wanted to sit in the shade. There were even more freaking palm trees surroundings the area. Seriously, why the fuck do you always get them on every beach?
Several days passed with little events. After being sent to her room the first night, a producer showed up and explained she would be accompanied by a guard, preventing her from assaulting the staff and the eliminated contestants when they arrived. Should she break the rules, they would call the police and arrest her.
She glanced at a Drapion, who sat up in a beach chair nearby, showing zero emotion on his face. She looked away and shivered. She reminded him too much of him! She couldn't run away because her bandages still covered her whole body. It also didn't help that her hands were cuffed to her chair's arms. A guest? More like a prisoner, she believed!
She watched multiple Pokemon setting up food by the buffet table. Someone informed her to wait out here because another eliminated contestant would arrive tonight. But who?
She thought back to her former team and scowled. They were all a bunch of fucking cowards! She knew they were trying to throw the challenge to get rid of her! She was taking control of the team, and they wanted her gone! In her eyes, none of these pussies deserved to win! She wouldn't feel bad seeing one of them here tonight. She would've mocked them had bandages still not wrapped around her mouth. How long did she have to wear these?
She never bothered remembering everyone else; they were nameless losers in her eyes. Except for one person. Her breathing became faster and erratic, praying he would be away from this resort as far as possible!
She snapped out of her thoughts, hearing footsteps from the main building. She turned and raised a brow, seeing Xatu stepping outside, moving as if she lived there. She paused and turned her head towards Greta. Her calm stare unnerved her.
"Hello, Greta," Xatu calmly said. "My real name is Xanthippe. You and I have much to discuss, but that can wait for tomorrow. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a mimosa calling out to me."
Greta watched Xanthippe head straight for the buffet table. Geez, she was the fucking weirdo. What did she want to talk to her about?
Day 8 - Relaxation Day
By this point, Octillery and Araquanid would discuss which girl for the latter to pursue back on the island. Greta sat by the table at the beach, watching Xanthippe stirring tea with her spoon. When she stopped, she stuck a straw into the mug.
"Tea?" Xanthippe asked, gesturing to the drink.
Greta narrowed her eyes and scoffed. "I don't fucking drink tea," she said, who could finally start talking again after the nurses readjusted her bandages this morning.
"I figure you would like one to calm your battered soul," Xanthippe said, holding a tea of her own. "How often did a certain ghost reappear in your mind?"
Greta widened her eyes in a panic. "Quick! Give me the tea!" She asked as her wrists remained strapped to her wheelchair.
Xanthippe stared at her as if waiting for the next word. The image of a blimp Pokemon motivated Greta to know the answer.
"Please!" She yelled pleadingly.
Xanthippe smiled and pushed the tea to Greta, positioning the straw so the latter could reach it.
"So, how have you been after you departed the island?" She asked, watching Greta slurping.
Greta smacked her lips and scowled. "Fucking awful. Nobody let me out of this stupid chair, and my body hurts so freaking much!" She slammed her arms to the chair's arms, making her growl when she felt sharp pains. "FUCK!"
"That reminds me. When I took a tour around the resort, I spotted a Pokemon Center area on the ground floor. They have medical staff to provide care for everyone."
"What?! Why the fuck didn't they heal me yet?" Greta asked, looking pissed.
Xanthippe's staring bored into Greta. "You know why."
Greta became silent and took another sip of her tea.
"You had to have known that your time in the game would never last with your current behaviour."
Greta growled. "Cut the bullshit! You don't know anything about me!"
"I know you were born and raised in an environment where you believed you had to be cruel to survive. Your parents abandoned you at the orphanage at a young age. From there you had to constantly fight with other kids to pick up whatever scrap you-"
"How the fuck did you know all that?!" Greta shouted in disbelief.
"In case you don't remember, I'm a fortune teller. I am capable of seeing glimpses of people's past, present, and future. Whenever I use my ability, I would see the past with my left eye and the future with my right, and right now, I'm seeing both visions about you," Xanthippe said, staring directly into Greta, whose face reddened.
"Then stop fucking doing that! You have no damn business to stick your beak into my life!" Her shouting had spits flying out.
"I cannot help it. Even if I choose to ignore my visions, they are everywhere. Whether it would be by the sun, fireplaces or other people, they are always there. I had learnt to accept the role life had given me, and in return, many paths opened up for me."
Greta seethed. "I can see why your teammates kicked you out. They would be fucking dumb for keeping an Arceus damn psychic around!"
The psychic bird took a sip of her tea. "You're wrong. I asked them to vote me out."
Greta stared at her, flabbergasted. "What the fuck? Why the hell would you do that?!"
"I received a vision of being eliminated on this show, so I knew I had to follow through with it at the first opportunity."
Greta became silent and then narrowed her eyes. "You're a fucking moron. You could've used your psychic power to win!"
Xanthippe finished drinking her tea before staring at Greta. "I had no intention of winning. I never needed the money. My job is enough to provide me with a suitable income. However, you are right about me potentially using my ability to claim victory. I could've used it to learn everyone's strengths and weaknesses and then find the most probable path to accomplish my goal."
She frowned and shrugged. "But where's the fun in that? I prefer challenges."
Greta scoffed. "Still think you're fucking moron…"
"There was also another reason for stepping out of the game," Xanthippe said as her gaze fixed on the distant island silhouetted against the backdrop of the ocean. The waves whispered secrets that seemed to echo the enigmatic challenges that lay within. "Many players who remain in the game have their stories yet to be written. They will face trials and tribulations they would never have imagine. Some more than others." Her eyes softened before glancing back at Greta. "I finished my purpose. All I can do now is hope they will walk a path to a brighter future."
Greta became silent once more, contemplating what Xanthippe was saying. She then put on her usual scowl and snapped her head at Drapion, who stood nearby. "You! Get me away from this freak!"
Unimpressed, Xanthippe stared at Drapion wheeling Greta back inside the resort. She sighed and poured herself another cup of tea.
"Great talk," she muttered before gazing back at the faraway island again.
Day 10 - Elimination Day
Xanthippe was sitting on a beach chair by the pool, reading a book called Survival of the Fittest Mindset. She hummed and nodded.
"Interesting," she commented.
Hearing another noise of complaint, she glanced sideways, seeing Drapion positioning Greta's wheelchair on the opposite side of the pool, facing the door. There were fewer bandages on her, displaying her decent recovery. It didn't change her expressing her usual frustration at her guard.
"I told you I don't wanna wait here! I don't give a shit on who's coming tonight!" She shouted.
"It's one of the rules here, Greta," Xanthippe said, returning to reading her book.
Greta snapped her head at her and growled. "Cram it!"
After their previous conversation, Greta would order Drapion to wheel her out whenever both women shared a room. Xanthippe knew it was because Greta was still uncomfortable about her knowing her backstory. Despite the traumatising beating she received from Drifblim, she still had walls surrounding her mind, preventing anyone from getting close to her. It would take a lot more to break down said walls.
It was for this reason that Xanthippe didn't make another attempt to reach out to her. She instead chose to spend the next several days embracing the luxuries the resort had to offer. Would it be too soon for her to have another massage?
Hearing the door opening again, Xanthippe turned, now seeing an electric mouse Pokemon looking bored. His eyes enlarged, seeing familiar faces.
"Oh, hey, lad-OW!" Raichu cried out in pain, feeling the door shutting on his tail.
Seeing someone in pain for the first time in a week, Greta snickered.
Raichu pulled his tail out of the door, groaning in pain. "Please tell me there's a bar in this joint," he said, giving the pair a pleading stare.
"The bar is closed for tonight, but there is alcohol on the buffet table," Xanthippe said, pointing to the table full of food and drinks.
"Halle-fucking-lujah!" Raichu said, grinning as he ran to the buffet table.
"Alright, we have our little reunion. Take me back inside!" Greta barked at the stoic Drapion.
Just as Drapion started wheeling her inside, Greta heard Raichu calling out to her.
"Hey, Granbull!"
When she snapped her head at him, she saw him opening a beer, held it up and then smirked.
"Drifblim said hi, by the way!" he said.
A mere mention of his name was all it took for Greta's fragile mask to break down, and she started screaming in terror.
Raichu watched Drapion continue to wheel the screaming Granbull inside and chuckled. He walked over and collapsed on the beach chair next to Xanthippe. He took one sip of his drink and let out a moan of pleasure.
"Arceus, I missed this!"
Xanthippe smirked. "I take it your team didn't get to spend a night at the inn?" she asked, remembering there were alcohols stocked up in the fridge.
"Nope. Not a single win in my team's belt." He took another sip of his drink and exhaled a happy sigh. "This already makes me feel better about my elimination."
"So what happened today?" She asked.
"It came down to me and Bastiodon. The only reason I was voted off was because I made more money than him." He scoffed. "Not sure if I would take that as a compliment."
"Given your reputation, Randy, you were always going to have a target on your back," she said, already knowing Raichu's real name prior to the show.
Randy sank further into his seat as he took another sip. "I guess so. It's a time like this, I wish everyone would be like Infernape."
"How is he anyway?" Xanthippe asked, curious about the man whose elimination she spared.
"Total asshole. He gave me this yesterday," he said, pointing to the faded bruises on his neck. "Granted, I took him out of the challenge with me, so I supposed we're even Steven. Oh, and guess what? He had no idea who I was! Not even when I was a Pikachu!" He showed a grin. "Do you have an idea how fucking good to hear that? After getting the spotlights for all these years, I've finally met someone who also has a shitty life and not recognising me as his escape from this horrible world!"
He took a deep breath, followed by another sip from his drink. "He's a good guy. For a bag of winkles, he's a helluva fighter. Don't let anything bring him down."
Xanthippe chuckled and exhaled a sigh of relief. "That's reassuring to hear."
"Why do you say that?" Randy asked before his eyes widened in realisation, answering the question himself. "Oh yeah. You took the fall for him. Do you regret taking yourself out?"
"Not in the slightest," she said, smiling. "I'm happy he didn't give up on himself."
"Yeah, me too," Randy said, smiling to her. "Never would've gotten to know him if you didn't do what you did."
Xanthippe held up her glass. "To Infernape?"
"To Infernape," he said, his drink clinking with Xanthippe's before tossing his bottle into the pool, staining the clear blue water into sickly ginger.
Xanthippe stared at the pool before looking at Randy. "Why did you do that?"
"I thought it was to honour a soldier," he said, shrugging.
"First, you were supposed to pour it on the ground. And second, it was to honour those who have died."
"How was I supposed to know that?" He asked in annoyance.
She stared at the pool again, now mixed with water and beer. "The staff won't be happy about this," she commented.
Randy responded by closing his eyes with his head resting on his paws. "This place has a pool cleaner, right? They can clean it up."
Day 11 - Relaxation Day
"I can't believe they're making me clean this!" Randy complained, shrubbing the tiles inside the empty pool with a rag.
The morning after, when he left his room to have breakfast, he was confronted by staff who were livid at him pouring alcohol into the pool. As punishment, he had to clean the entire thing until it was spotless.
Xanthippe chuckled, sitting on the beach chair beside the pool, reading her book. "I told you they wouldn't be happy," she said before sipping her mimosa.
Raichu sighed as he finished cleaning a tile. "One tile down-" He paused, staring at hundreds of tiles left to clean. One of his eyes twitched.
"FU-!" He started shouting, but the camera cut to the next scene.
Day 13 - Elimination Day
The rain pattering on the floor outside reached the eliminated contestants' ears. After it started raining, they were all relocated to the grand living room as an alternative to their usual reunion. There were three sofas surrounding the small wooden table. Multiple chairs lined up against the wall. A flat-screen wall-mounted TV. And a double sliding door with a porch outside where anyone had a clear view of the beach.
Sitting on the floor by the table, Randy stuck a piece of steak into his mouth, savouring the rich taste. After swallowing it, he glanced at Greta and Xanthippe. "So, who do you think will show up tonight?"
"Don't give a fuck," Greta muttered, her wheelchair parked by the sliding door. After spending ten days at the resort, her bandages decreased to her arms and legs as they received the most damage. Her chest still felt sore, but she didn't want the others to know to try to keep whatever dignity she had left.
"Great input, Greta," Randy said in sarcasm.
Greta bared her teeth at him.
"I have a pretty good idea of who's coming," Xanthippe said, her eyes closed, listening to the rain.
"Who is it?" Randy asked, raising a brow.
"You'll know in three seconds."
Randy looked confused until he heard somebody talking in unison in a jolly tone. "Hello!" He turned, seeing Vanilluxe arriving, showing off his usual smiles, dripping from being out in the rain. However, from years of experience putting up with assholes producers and creepy fans, he had practised making a fake smile - a mask for everyone he wanted to see. It was how he was able to recognise Vanilluxe was putting one on. He could've sworn he saw his eyes slightly swollen with reddened and puffy eyelids. Was he crying earlier?
"It's good to see familiar faces here!" Vanilluxe said, looking at everyone until his eyes landed on Greta, who looked surprised before quickly reverting to scowling. He stopped smiling. "Hello," he said in a much quieter tone.
Staying quiet, Greta turned her head away.
Understanding she didn't want to talk, Vanilluxe sighed and floated over to Xanthippe and Randy, who looked like he couldn't believe he was seeing his former teammate in front of him. He smiled at the pair.
"So, how have you both been?" He asked.
"Right now, I'm confused as hell. How did you get voted off?" Randy asked. "I would've bet a million dollars that Bastiodon would've been the next person on our team to get kicked out."
Vanilluxe cringed. "Technically, he did. But sadly, he had an idol and used it to protect himself. It negated every vote except his, and well…" He trailed off but then showed sad smiles. "Here I am."
Greta glanced sideways and twitched her ears, listening about an idiot playing an idol. Randy whistled.
"Well, I'll be damned," he said, giving him a pity look. "That was a nasty way to go, Vanilluxe."
"It is what it is," Vanilluxe said. "The others and I were unlucky that Bastiodon managed to find the idol in time."
"He didn't," Xanthippe said, staring at Vanilluxe. "I had a vision about someone else found it and then gave it to him."
Randy pointed at her. "Now that I can believe! There was no way he would've spent hours scouring the island to find it! Not without risk damaging his perfectly chiselled face!" He stretched his face to resemble Bastiodon's head shape and spoke in a deep voice almost identical to him.
"R-really?" Vanilluxe said, couldn't believe someone else on the island who wanted him gone. "Who?"
"Spoiler," Xanthippe said before her eyes filled with pity. "Sorry."
Vanilluxe sighed. "I guess it's already more than what you can afford to tell me?"
"I can divulge some information if I don't give away someone's identity. I don't want to accidentally motivate you and the others to try to deliver the message to the remaining players and disrupt their game."
"A shame. Would've liked to send Bastiodon a photo of my ass to remember me by," Randy said, smirking.
Vanilluxe and Xanthippe chuckled.
"You have a fair point, Xa-" Vanilluxe stopped himself, trying to remember her real name at her elimination. "Pardon me, what's your real name again?"
"Xanthippe," she said, showing a small smile.
"And I'm Valin Andrews! Nice to meet you!" He said, flashing his smiles at her. "As I was saying, you are right. It would be unfair to ask you for information about the others. There's no need for us to get involved in their game."
"I would!" Valin flinched at Greta's booming voice. He turned, seeing her glaring at him and the others. "Why the hell would anyone give away an idol - a powerful one - to someone else?! All it did was weaken their own game!"
"Maybe. Maybe not," Randy said, frowning. "If what's Xanthippe saying is true, then someone wanted to protect Bastiodon for their agenda. I'd seriously doubt it was out of undying love as nobody was clamouring over him for his autograph." He glanced at Xanthippe. "Was they?"
"No," she bluntly said.
"Well, there you go," Randy said, continuing to eat his dinner. "That's my theory for the week."
"In that case, who would be willing to commit such a move?" Valin asked.
"An idiot!" Greta shouted. "I'll bet you right now, they're gonna regret wasting their idol on Bastiodon!"
"Only time will tell whether they made the right move," Xanthippe said, closing her eyes.
Valin chuckled. "Regardless, I have to give credit where credit's due. They pull off an excellent blindside."
"How can you be happy about it?!" Greta asked in disbelief. "You've got voted off over Bastiodon of all Pokemon! Why are you not pissed?"
"You know, for someone who doesn't wanna talk to us, you're blabbering on right now," Randy said, raising a brow at her.
"Shut the fuck up!" She shouted, slamming her arms to her chair, only to groan through her teeth, feeling sharp pains rushing through her body.
Valin moved forward until he was only five feet from her. "To answer your question, Greta, I've never said I was happy about my elimination. I'd much rather stay on the island to compete with my team and stand by my wife's side for as long as possible."
Greta became confused. "Wife? What wife?" She asked.
Valin's eyes widened. "Oh, that's right. You weren't around when the secret was out. Do you remember Turtonator?"
"Doesn't ring a bell," Greta said, deadpanned.
"She has spikes on her back?" Seeing no reaction from Greta, Valin continued. "She often gets worried about anything?"
Greta thought back on the other players until her eyes blinked in realisation. "Oh, I remember now. Heh, that bitch was waiting to-" She showed a nasty grin until Valin cut her off.
"Do not call my wife that," he said, scowling at her.
Greta and Randy recoiled in shock, weren't expecting to hear a deep warning tone in his voice.
"What the hell?" Greta said, blinking. "You weren't even like this when you tried to confront me!"
"That's because you didn't insult my wife back then," Valin said, frowning. "She and I entered the game together. At first, she wanted to hide our relationship because she believed we would've become targets for it. It all changed when you attacked me."
While Valin was talking, Greta leaned back against her wheelchair, looking unnerved at the happy idiot showing a completely different side. Randy had his jaws dropped, while Xanthippe showed a proud smile.
"That, and Sableye found out about us after you left and announced it to everyone the next morning." He added nonchalantly. "My point is, I can tolerate having other Pokemon insult me, ridicule me for seeing the bright side in everything, and mock me for being a pushover." He floated closer to Greta as frowns appeared on his faces again. "But I won't allow anyone to say cruel things about my family. Do you understand?"
Staring into Valin's two pairs of eyes, Greta was starting to see the resemblance she saw with someone else's. Another image of that Pokemon's red eyes encouraged her to give Valin a meek nod. Valin floated back a bit and sighed. He then stared down at his reflection on the door, looking sad.
"I'm going to have to accept that I may not be able to see Turtonator for another two months." He looked back at Greta. "It's already hard being away from my children, but to be separated from my wife as well?" He took a deep breath, trying to refrain from bursting into tears like he did when he could no longer see his wife on the island.
Greta could only stare at Valin, trying to wrap her head around how quickly he changed his personality in a minutes. Was he always like this? Or was it brought up during the game? She didn't have the answer to it. She turned to Drapion, who noticed her staring at him. When she nodded at the exit, the scorpion Pokemon understood the message and started wheeling her out of the room.
The others watched on as Greta and her bodyguard exited the living room. Valin floated back to Xanthippe and Randy, now looking exhausted.
Randy started clapping slowly. "Bravo. Didn't think you have it in you," he said, impressed.
Valin chuckled tiredly. "Thanks. That's more than I can deal with for months."
"I am proud of you, Valin," Xanthippe said, smiling like a mother watching her child at graduation. "I know it wasn't easy to express your negative emotions, but I promise it will help you become a better husband and father."
"As long as I don't become anywhere near like Bastiodon and Greta, I'd be okay with it," Valin said, smiling.
"Dude, you couldn't act like either of them if you try!" Randy said.
The contestants laughed until Valin looked back at the direction Greta left.
"Greta hardly changed when she arrived here, hadn't she?" He asked.
"She has changed, but a single punishment from Drifblim won't be enough to change her attitude overnight," Xanthippe explained.
"So, would two punishments make it work?" Randy asked, smirking.
Xatu chuckled. "No. Greta would have to unlearn almost everything she knows to put herself on a better path."
"Sound like an impossible dream," Randy said.
"Even if it is, I do hope Greta would seek the help she needs," Valin said. "I've come to accept she and I won't be friends, but it would be a shame for her to go home without anything to gain."
"She did gain something - neverending nightmares about Drifblim," Randy remarked. He snickered before yawning and getting to his feet. "I'm pooped. I'm gonna crash. Night."
Xanthippe and Valin bid him goodnight, watching him leave the room. Xanthippe stepped off her seat, stretching her neck.
"I believe it's my cue to head to bed as well," she said before finishing her drink.
Valin chuckled. "Me too. I don't know where I would be sleeping, though."
"All of our rooms will be beside each other except for Greta, who had her own private quarter." Judging by the tone of her voice, it wasn't a good thing for the dog Pokemon.
"Got it. I'll be up in a moment," he said, smiling.
Xanthippe nodded before disappearing from the living room.
Valin floated over to the sliding door and gazed at the ocean in the midst of the thunderstorm. The water looked rough, and the sky looked grey and ominous. From the look of it, it would be a sign of turmoils and turbulences.
And yet, for the ice cream man, he showed a pair of warm smiles.
"You got this, honey," he said in a gentle tone. "I believe in you."
He then headed off to check out his new bedroom, his thoughts occupied by his wife and children.
And that's the end of the first Retrospective Resort episode, and most likely the shortest chapter in the story!
It was refreshing to write something different after almost all the chapters I've ever written were competition-based. Send me a comment to tell me what do you think of it!
Now, whenever Retrospective Resort is on, the contestants will be addressed to their real names as a reminder they are no longer in the game. When we'd see them again, the population will increase!
In the next chapter, we'll be back with the main cast. It will be much longer than this one, but I promise it will be worth the wait! In fact, I'll give you a hint!
Next time on Total Pokemon Alphabetical - Fear Facility.
Xanthippe, Randy, and Valin: Review, everyone!
Greta: (She glared at you) Do it!
