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Day 14
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Camp
Men: Joe, Killua, Kirito, Kyon, Mayuri, Spike
Women: Alice, Ami, Haruhi, Jasmine, Konata, Michiru, Mine, Misty
Killua and Alice have their usual early-morning chat before all the others get up.
"Does everyone else know we're close?" Alice asks.
"I'm sure there are suspicions of it," Killua says. "But if you and I are the early birds every morning, we can discuss strategy long before any of them get up."
"So, what's the plan?" Alice asks. "How many Fire Tokens do you have, and what are you going to use them on?"
"I've got four," Killua says. "Joe has one, Kirito none. That's enough for an extra vote."
"And that gives you four votes."
"Right. And from what I heard last night, Spike lost his vote on that journey."
"But how do you know?"
"I have very good hearing. I'm pretty certain of it."
"Crap, that means Mine lost hers too."
"Yeah, it's bad for you but good for me."
"So, that puts you up 4-2 in the numbers."
"Right, but those guys can pull out a steal-a-vote and knot it up at three."
"What of the reports of Spike quitting and thus hurting the Men's numbers further?"
"It is of no concern. Soon his alliance will be crushed and he will become one of those at Ponderosa. Either way, he's a likely target."
"So, you're voting Spike?"
"Maybe," Killua says. "It depends on whether we think we're going to have the numbers or not. If I think there's a possibility of a tie, I may not vote Spike, because I'd rather have either Kyon or Mayuri go home."
"Well, I wish you well," Alice says. "Some people are getting up now, so we'd better cut this conversation short."
"Killua seems to have it all under control," Alice says. "But all it takes is one little mistake, and it all goes to pieces. In fact, if he gets voted out tonight, he's not even on the jury. That would be devastating, especially to me, because I'm counting on him getting on that jury and convincing everyone to vote for me. So, I've got to do what I can to help him out, even if it means giving up Fire Tokens."
"This odd 'Albino Alliance' I have with Alice is bizarre, because both of us need the other one voted out at some point," Killua says. "But each of us has to help each other out to go as far as possible, then count on the other to get voted out and help them out on the jury. I feel pretty confident that Alice will get voted off sometime; the question is, how can I facilitate it without actually facilitating it?"
Kyon and Mayuri learn of Spike's misfortune this morning out in the jungle.
"So, you lost your vote," Kyon says.
"Yeah," Spike replies.
"I could have done some real experimenting with that vote," Mayuri says.
"Well, it's gone now, so too bad," Spike says. "I don't know what we're gonna do with just two votes."
"There's a way of fixing this," Kyon says. "Mayuri, how many Fire Tokens do you have?"
"Five to be exact," Mayuri says.
"I've got two," Kyon says. "And you, Spike?"
"Two."
"So, our best bet is for Mayuri and myself to buy extra votes, that way we can have four up against whatever the other alliance has," Kyon says. "Remember, they're probably buying stuff too."
"You mean you're taking my Tokens?" Spike says.
"I have to," Kyon says. "Otherwise we've got no better than a tie."
"Fine, then, I'll give them over," Spike says.
"You can't dictate what I do with my Tokens!" Mayuri exclaims. "I wanted to experiment with them!"
Kyon sighs. "If you would like to go home tonight, then sure, experiment all you please. But for our sake, could you please join us so that none of us goes home?"
Mayuri shakes his head. "Oh, all right. Somebody find a producer."
Spike hands over his two Fire Tokens to Kyon, and both Kyon and Mayuri pay four Tokens to a producer, who hands over two pieces of parchment.
"These are our extra votes," Kyon says. "With them, we go from having two votes to now four up against Killua, Kirito, and Joe. Now we've got to hope that they don't have enough for an advantage of their own."
"I really wanted to do an experiment with all those Tokens!" Mayuri says. "But now I've got just one left. I hope to win some challenges so I can get some back."
Mine also has to break the news to Alice, as they stand by the beach.
"I lost my vote," she says.
"You did?" Alice tries to play dumb, putting a finger on her chin.
"Yeah, that stupid Spike was supposed to be quitting the game, but then he just changes his mind and decides to screw me over. So now I'm out a vote, and we're in trouble."
"We still have Haruhi's extra vote, though," Alice says. "So that puts us back at 4-4."
"How many Tokens do those $*# Haruhi and Konata have, anyway?"
"I have absolutely no clue," Alice says. "It's hard to tell with them. Even if I were able to nail them down for an interview where I could ask them, there's no reason to believe they're telling us the truth."
Mine sighs. "Then it comes down to you and me. What do we do with our Tokens? I've got seven. That's enough to buy me Safety Without Power."
"And that would get me sent home immediately," Alice says. "Because they'd then have the numbers 4-3 and they'd naturally vote out me."
"Well, I don't care about you anyway," Mine says. "Remember, we're not friends."
"You wound me, mon capitan," Alice replies. "But you know what happens next time you show up at Tribal Council. Your *$# is voted out, and we're watching one of those goody-goodies win a check for one million dollars."
Mine sighs again. "Fine. What do you want me to buy?"
"You can steal a vote with seven Tokens," Alice says. "And I can buy an extra vote with my four Tokens. That puts us at a 6-3 advantage, which is overwhelming. We could even split the votes to flush out a possible idol."
"Are you sure Haruhi and Konata are on board?"
"They're easily persuaded," Alice says. "I'll just give them a name, and they'll put three votes on that person. Then we put our three votes on someone else. If they've got an idol, it's going to be lost."
"Sounds good," Mine says.
"Why waste any more time?" Alice says. "Here you go, producers."
Alice and Mine hand over their Tokens to the producers, who hand each of them a piece of parchment, with a note denoting the steal-a-vote with Mine's.
"This is great," Mine says. "By having this steal-a-vote, it essentially makes up for the fact that I lost my regular vote. Now I'm allowed to have my say on this next vote. And it ought to be an easy one – Ami is the brains of the operation over there. None of the other three have pissed me off, but Ami has. She will be headed home shortly. Well, maybe not, because we can't stop winning challenges. But when the Men run out of members, then she'll go down."
"Mine and I have the chance to completely take over this game," Alice says. "It's a far cry from last season, when we were at each other's throats. But now we're in a position of power. Hopefully our tribe keeps winning challenges, but we're ready for whenever we slip up."
Kirito, Killua, and Joe meet at the water well, talking strategy.
"You say that Spike lost his vote?" Joe says.
"That's right," Killua replies. "But we can't let our guard down. We need as many votes as possible."
"So, what are you going to do?" Kirito asks.
"I have four Tokens here," Killua says. "I will buy an extra vote."
Killua hands over his four Fire Tokens to a producer, who gives him back a piece of parchment.
"Now we've got four votes," Killua says. "Whereas Spike, Kyon, and Mayuri only have two – but we don't know what advantages they might have."
"So we can't split the votes," Kirito says.
"That's right," Killua says. "They very well may have one or two extra votes floating out there."
"What about the Medallion of Power?" Joe asks. "I've still got a Token."
"Both of us are all out of Tokens," Kirito says. "So, unless the other alliance ponies up four Tokens, we're not going to have an advantage in this challenge."
"Man, that stinks," Joe says. "Right now we need to win a challenge in the worst way."
"You're telling me," Killua says. "I hate losing, but we have to prepare for this next vote as if we are going to lose."
"Killua has an extra vote, which is good," Joe says. "But now we can't buy the Medallion of Power, and thus give that over to the Women again, should they choose to buy it. That means we're probably headed for Tribal Council – again. I am so sick of losing."
"This is a sticky situation," Kirito says. "We've got to play as if we're going to lose the next challenge, while at the same time giving away our best chance at winning that challenge. It's a lose-lose situation for us. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy; we spend our Tokens expecting to lose, which causes us to lose. Right now I want to win in the worst way, and I'm going to go all out at this next challenge."
The JAM alliance gathers together for their strategy talk.
"Okay, let's put all our Tokens out in the middle," Michiru says. "I've got three."
"Same here," Jasmine says.
"I've got three as well," Ami says.
"I'm rich!" Misty jokes. "I've got four."
"That puts us at 13," Michiru says. "But what should we buy?"
"An extra vote?" Jasmine suggests.
"No, I've got something better," Ami says. "An idol."
"An idol? But don't we already have one?" Misty asks.
"Wouldn't it be a great idea to have two, though?" Ami says. "Say we end up in a tie. Two of us are immune, and if those two get any votes, they won't count. But even if they choose one of the two of us that doesn't have immunity, that person can't go home in a double tie. We'd pick rocks, and it'd be three of them picking rocks and just one of us. Worst case scenario, we have a 75% chance of defeating them."
"Sounds awesome!" Michiru says. "Ami, I don't know what we'd do without you!"
"But who throws in their Tokens, and who doesn't?" Misty asks.
"Well, Ami already has an idol, so she shouldn't have to pay for it," Jasmine says. "The three of us put ours together and buy it."
"Who officially gets it, though?" Misty asks.
"You are giving the most Tokens, so you get it," Jasmine says.
"Makes sense to me!" Michiru says.
"Great!" Misty says. "Let's make this official."
Misty hands over the ten Fire Tokens over to a producer, who hands her back the immunity plushie Ririn.
"I'm now safe for this upcoming vote, which is crucial," Misty says. "We don't know when this next vote is going to happen – will it happen tonight? In two nights? In a week, should we keep winning? But whenever it does come around, I've got nothing to worry about at Tribal Council."
"Misty and Ami having idols makes our chances of 'winning' our next Tribal Council better," Michiru says. "However, it also means that Jasmine and myself are in the line of fire. If either of us get votes, we're likely going home. That's why winning challenges is so important, and we've got to win this next one."
Immunity Challenge
"Come on in, guys!"
The two tribes trudge into the immunity challenge area.
"You guys ready to get to today's immunity challenge?"
"Absolutely!" Haruhi exclaims.
"First things first, I will take it back."
Konata hands over the Ranma immunity idol to Jet.
"Thank you. Once again, immunity is back up for grabs. For today's challenge, you will engage in yet another Olympic sport. This time, you're playing water polo. We have two goals set in the water over there, which one of your tribe members will defend. The rest of you will try to score on the opposing team's goal. First tribe to score four goals, wins immunity, safe from the vote. Losers, Tribal Council, where someone will be the seventh person voted out of this game. Men, you lost the last immunity challenge, which means you have the choice of buying the Medallion of Power. In this challenge, the Medallion of Power gives you one goal to start off the game, meaning you only need to score three times before your opponent scores four."
The Men look at each other and shake their heads.
"No, doesn't look like we're buying it," Kirito says.
"Very well then," Jet says. "Women, would you like to buy it?"
The Women all shake their heads as well.
"We're passing," Misty says.
"Okay. Women, you have two extra members, you've got to sit two players out, and you cannot sit out the same people in back-to-back challenges. Who's it gonna be?"
The Women discuss who should sit out.
"I'm really good at swimming," Michiru says. "I'm in."
"Me too," Misty says. "And I know you have to participate, but even if you didn't, you're in, Ami."
"Absolutely," Ami says.
"Eh, I'm not that good a swimmer," Haruhi says.
"Me neither," Konata says. "We'll sit this one out."
The Women then face Jet. "We're sitting out Konata and Haruhi," Misty tells him.
"Very well, sit-outs take a spot on the bench. I'll give you a minute to strategize, then we'll get started."
The players swim out to the water polo "arena," where Jet stands on a platform in the water to referee the match.
"We've got Mayuri in the goal for the Men, and Misty in the goal for the Women. Survivors ready? Go!"
Jet tosses the water polo ball into the middle of the arena, and Ami beats Killua on the swim to get the ball.
"Pass it over here!" Alice yells.
Ami looks for Alice and tries to pass, but it gets deflected by Kirito, and he ends up with the ball.
"Ami with an errant pass to start the game!" Jet shouts.
Kirito swims while pushing the ball forward, before stopping and passing to Joe. Joe looks in both directions and finds no one to throw to. Mine closes in and snatches the ball off him.
"Mine with the steal!"
Mine starts swimming back in the other direction. She passes the ball over to Alice, and Alice finds an open Michiru. Michiru fakes a shot at Mayuri, before passing it over to Ami. Ami swims a bit closer, and she gets fouled by Kyon.
"Foul!" Jet shouts. "That's a 20-second exclusion foul! Swim on off, Kyon!"
Kyon sighs as he swims out of the arena, and Ami passes over to Michiru. Michiru fakes another shot at Mayuri, then passes back to Ami. Ami looks around, then fires a shot past Mayuri and into the goal.
"Goal for the Women! They lead 1-0!"
Mayuri angrily passes the ball over to Jet, who waits for everyone to get back into position.
"1-0 Women! Survivors ready? Go!"
Jet passes the ball into the middle of the arena, and this time Killua beats Ami to the ball. He threatens a long shot at Misty, but instead chooses to pass it to Spike.
"Kyon, your time is up! You can swim on back!" Jet shouts.
Kyon swims over to join in the attack. Spike looks both ways, then passes the ball over to Joe. Joe fakes a shot, then passes across the water over to Kirito. Kirito tries a shot from the wide angle on Misty's left, but Misty makes the save and gathers possession of the ball.
"Nice save by Misty!"
Misty throws the ball over to Ami, who swims with the ball for a while, before passing over to Michiru. Michiru threatens to shoot from long distance to throw Mayuri off for a second, but she instead passes the ball over to Alice. Killua nearly steals the ball off Alice, but she gets the ball over to Mine. Kirito closes in on Mine, who passes to Michiru. Michiru then shoots hard at the goal, and the ball bounces by Mayuri for a second goal.
"Goal for the Women! They're up 2-0! Remember, four goals will win it!"
Mayuri tosses the ball back to Jet, as the players prepare for the next throw-in.
"2-0 Women! Survivors ready? Go!"
Ami beats Killua to the ball, and Killua reaches in on Ami and commits a foul.
"That's a 20-second exclusion foul for Killua!" Jet shouts. "Swim on off, Killua!"
Killua frustratedly swims out of the playing area, as Ami passes the ball over to Mine. Mine then fakes a throw and instead swims closer to the net. As she swims in, Kirito ends up inadvertently slapping her in the face as he swims in to defend.
"20-second exclusion foul for Kirito!"
Kirito angrily swims away. Mine passes to Michiru, who has an easy time shooting with the Men two players down. She fires it past Mayuri, right past Mayuri's right ear.
"Goal! That's 3-0 Women! One more goal, and they win!"
"Come on, guys!" Kirito shouts from the exclusion area.
"We'd be doing better if you were here to help us!" Kyon replies.
Mayuri tosses the ball back to Jet, who prepares to throw it in.
"3-0 Women! One goal away from victory! Men still need four! Survivors ready? Go!"
Jet tosses the ball in, and once again Ami is the first one there. She passes over to Michiru, who prepares to shoot.
"Killua, you can come back in now!" Jet shouts.
As Killua swims in, Michiru loses her concentration for a moment and allows Spike to swoop in and take the ball off her. Spike begins swimming down toward the Women's goal, when Kirito's time runs out.
"Kirito, come back in!" Jet yells.
Kirito swims in, and Spike threatens a shot at Misty. He pulls it back, then passes over to Kyon. Kyon also fakes a shot at goal, but he chooses to pass it over to Killua. Kirito calls for the ball, but Killua fakes a throw to him and then fires it at Misty's goal. The ball takes a slight bounce off the water and spins out of Misty's reach.
"Goal for the Men! They're back in it, down 3-1!" Jet exclaims.
"I wouldn't say they're back in it," Mine says.
"Semantics," Killua says.
Misty passes the ball over to Jet, as the players line up again.
"3-1 game! Survivors ready? Go!"
Jet passes the ball in, and Killua beats Ami on the swim to the ball. He then allows his teammates to swim down and set up the offense. He passes over to Joe first, and Joe tosses it back to Killua. Now Killua throws to Kirito, who passes in front of the net to Spike, who has gone streaking to the middle. However, the ball bounces off one of Spike's hands and into the grasp of Misty.
"Good stop, Misty!" Jasmine calls.
The Women come down the arena, with Michiru holding on to the ball and starting the offense. She passes over to Alice, who passes to Mine. Mine fakes a pass back to Michiru, before firing it right at Mayuri. Despite a bounce, Mayuri makes the save and gathers possession of the ball.
"It's still anybody's game!" Jet shouts.
Mayuri passes to Killua, who brings back the offense for the Men down the arena. He passes over to Joe, who gets the ball to Kirito. Spike tries streaking again right down the middle of the Women's defense, and Kirito tries to get him the ball again. This time, though, the ball bounces off the side of Spike's head and…
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"It's in the goal!" Jet shouts. "Spike screened Misty to prevent her from making the save, and the ball goes off his ear and in the net! We've got a game here! 3-2!"
Misty frustratedly tosses the ball over to Jet.
"The Men only down by one! The Women can still win it with a goal here! Men need two goals! Survivors ready? Go!"
Jet tosses the ball in, and this time the ball goes in Ami's favor. She passes the ball over to Michiru, who fakes throwing a shot at Mayuri and instead passes the ball over to Mine. Joe closes in on Mine, who passes to Alice. Alice then passes back to Mine, who gets fouled by Kyon as she tries to shoot.
"Penalty shot!" Jet yells.
"Penalty?" Killua wonders.
"That's right, Mine was close enough to the goal that she would have had a good shot had she not been fouled! She gets a penalty shot from five meters out!"
The Women and Men clear out, waiting for Mine to take her shot on Mayuri.
"This could be it!" Jet shouts. "If Mine makes it, the match is over! If she misses, the match continues on. You may fire when ready!"
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Mine fakes once to Mayuri's left and once to his right. She then comes back with a blazing shot past Mayuri's left shoulder and into the net.
"And that's it! Women win immunity!"
The Women start slapping the water in happiness, while Kirito and Killua also slap the water in frustration. Mayuri grabs the ball and punches it away angrily. Kyon and Spike shake their heads, while Joe hangs his head. Haruhi and Konata jump up and down from the sit-out bench. The players then all swim back to shore.
"Congratulations, Women, this is for you."
Jet hands over the immunity idol of Ranma over to Ami.
"You are safe from yet another Tribal Council," he says. "Have a good night, swim on out."
"Swim on out?" Konata says. "There's no way we're swimming that far!"
"Oh, you know what I mean," Jet says. "Start pretending to swim away, and then once the cameras are off, we'll take you there by boat."
"That sounds just about right," Konata says.
"As for you, Men, this has got to be frustrated."
"You bet it is," Kyon says.
"I'm ready to give up," Spike says.
"Really?" Jet says.
"Yeah, I don't really feel like remaining in this game any longer."
"Man, that's not the Spike Spiegel I know," Jet says. "You're so beaten down from all this losing that you're ready to throw in the towel?"
"That's right," Spike says.
"You can't quit now," Kyon says. "If you resign your position in this game, you completely screw over us in your alliance."
"I'm just not sure I care about that enough," Spike says.
"This is a frustrating time for all of us," Kyon says. "We've got to stick it out and see if we can turn things around."
Spike shakes his head but relents. "Fine," he says. "I'll stay in this game for now."
"Good to hear," Jet says. "Otherwise, I would have had to spike your torch to the ground and insult you on your way out. For now, though, I got nothing for you. Head back to camp, I'll see you tonight for Tribal."
The Men trudge on out.
"If Spike quits, then Mayuri and I are the next two to go," Kyon says. "And with the way we're losing, we're going to be the next two out after him. That's why he's gotta stay in this game, for my sake. And maybe, just maybe, we can win a challenge again."
Camp
Men: Joe, Killua, Kirito, Kyon, Mayuri, Spike
Women: Alice, Ami, Haruhi, Jasmine, Konata, Michiru, Mine, Misty
As the Men walk into camp downtrodden and depressed, they are greeted by some of the Women. Alice gives Killua a bear hug, Jasmine and Michiru console a couple others each, and even Haruhi is sympathetic toward Kyon.
"Hey, we're not trying to beat you that bad," Haruhi says. "You at least gave it your all."
"That's the problem," Kyon replies. "My best was just not good enough."
"Poor Kyon is feeling bad about losing so much," Haruhi says. "I can't say I'm displeased, but I need him as a rival. I love competition. I want Kyon to be able to give me a fair fight."
"I'm at my breaking point," Kyon says. "I don't know how much losing I'm going to be able to take."
But Kyon quickly changes his tune when it is time to scramble.
"What advantages do we have?" he asks Mayuri and Spike. "I've got an extra vote."
"Me too," Mayuri says. "I would like to experiment with it."if
"No, you're using it tonight," Kyon says. "It is the only way you can save your friends."
"I don't have anything," Spike says. "And I lost my vote on that journey. It's up to the two of you."
"That gives us four," Kyon says. "Which means we've got enough to beat the other alliance… unless they've got advantages."
"And I bet they do," Spike says.
"Killua isn't stupid," Spike says. "He's not going to head into the biggest vote yet without some sort of advantage. We've got to prepare for what happens in the worst-case scenario and also the best-case scenario as well."
"Here's an experiment I'd like to try," Mayuri says. "Just ask those fools if they've got an advantage. Maybe they'll tell you!"
"I'd like to see you try," Spike says.
So, as Killua, Kirito, and Joe huddle together to have their discussion, Mayuri creeps up on them, before touching Joe on the shoulder.
"Huh?" Joe says. "Oh, it's you."
"What do you want?" Killua asks.
"I would like to know what advantages you guys have," Mayuri says.
"You – what?" Kirito says.
Suddenly, Killua, Joe, and Kirito all break down laughing.
"As if we'd tell you!" Kirito says.
"Hmmmph!" Mayuri says. "Thanks for nothing!"
"Thanks for the laugh!" Joe says, as Mayuri slinks away.
"That was a failed experiment," Mayuri says. "I ended up making a fool of myself by asking that question. Nevertheless, we may still have the numbers against them."
Killua, Kirito, and Joe chuckle as they start their strategy talk.
"That was funny, but if we're not careful, we're going to be laughing our way to Ponderosa," Killua says. "I've got an extra vote. Aside from that, we've got nothing."
"So, how do we approach this?" Joe asks.
"We've got to throw four votes on someone, and hope that they don't have a bigger advantage than us," Kirito says.
"But who?" Joe asks.
"I'd say Kyon," Killua says. "He's the kingpin of their operation. He's calling the shots over there. Spike is an easy target; once Kyon goes, he will go. He might even quit. Let's put four votes on Kyon."
"Is it still a possibility to split the votes 2-2, in case they've got an idol?" Kirito says.
"No, too risky," Killua says. "Even if they've got one, we have to prepare as if they have at least three votes."
"Right, makes sense," Joe says.
"This is one peculiar position we are in right now," Killua says. "We don't know exactly how many votes the other alliance has. We don't know if they have any advantages. We don't know if they have an idol. We don't know anything going into this Tribal Council. And we're just going to have to take a leap of faith and vote."
"I'm very nervous about this Tribal Council," Joe says. "We have no idea if they've got an idol or not, and if they do, that might mean one of us going home if we guess wrong as to who to vote for. Killua's saying Kyon, but Kyon is really the only one who scares me over there. He's a strategic mastermind."
But over in the other discussion huddle, Kyon is anything but a mastermind.
"I have no clue who to vote for," he tells Mayuri and Spike. "Got any ideas?"
"I say, vote out Killua," Mayuri says. "If he doesn't want to give away what advantages he has, then he's probably got one. And if we can vote him out before he uses it…"
"No, no," Spike breaks in. "We've got to try to vote out the weakest player, because we've got to win some challenges eventually. I'm saying Joe, for that reason."
"All right, let's make a game-time decision on that," Kyon says. "I'll give the signal. One thumb up, we're voting Joe. Two thumbs up, we're voting Killua. Sound good?"
"Couldn't be better!" Mayuri replies.
"I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about this," Kyon says. "Do we care more about trying to win challenges, or do we care about who the biggest threats are? One thing's for sure: if we make the wrong decision, we're going to be paying for it for a long time to come."
Tribal Council
(Men)
The Women take their usual spot up in the peanut gallery as the Men trudge into the Tribal Council area with torches ablaze. Each of them sets one down, then goes to his seat.
"All right," Jet says. "Let's take on the elephant in the room. The Women are absolutely kicking your butts. They've won ten of the 14 challenges so far, including the last six in a row. These are outrageous numbers."
"They are outrageous," Kyon replies. "We should have had the chance to pull even several times, but we blew it each time."
"Don't you think that this might be the cause of voting out Cato?" Jet asks. "After all, he was your strongest player. Since Cato went home, you guys have only won one challenge."
"We get it," Killua says. "I wouldn't ever change that. Doesn't matter how much we lose, someone who's trying to sabotage his own tribe deserves to be gone."
"But without Cato, your tribe has been worthless. You've lost so much that we're running out of team-based challenges. We were supposed to have seven players playing water polo, and your tribe could only muster six."
"It sucks," Kirito says. "But the only thing we can do here is line up and play this thing out."
"Mayuri, you were in goal today. Did you feel let down by the other players who couldn't help you out?"
"It was not so fun," Mayuri says. "But I do not blame anyone for our loss. Nor do I blame myself."
"Now, let's talk on the topic of this vote. Joe, has there been any talk about advantages?"
Joe chuckles. "When has there not been talk about advantages?"
Everyone breaks out in laughter after hearing this.
"Give me an example," Jet says.
"Well, it seems that everyone here is trying to pick up extra votes," Joe says. "There are all sorts of Fire Tokens being thrown around. It's not one alliance or the other, but rather everyone trying to position themselves the best going into this vote."
"You said 'one alliance or the other,'" Jet says. "Tell me, who is in each alliance?"
"It's us three," Kirito says, pointing to Killua and Joe.
"And it's us three," Spike says, pointing to Mayuri and Kyon.
"Interesting," Jet says. "A three-three split, with no telling how many advantages are in this game. How strong are the bonds? Is there any thought of flipping?"
"If there was, why would we tell you?" Killua asks.
"Fair point. Kyon, if this thing comes down to the advantages, do you think your alliance has the edge?"
"We honestly have no clue what the other alliance may and may not have," Kyon says. "They're not telling us, and we're not telling them."
"So, Spike, are you prepared for a big showdown tonight?"
"As prepared as I'll ever be," Spike says. "I had thoughts about quitting, but I've changed my mind and want to still be in this game."
"Killua, how do you choose which person you want to vote out? You may be opposing alliances, but you still have to come to a conclusion as to which player to vote for."
"Yeah, it's a tough decision," Killua says. "All I know is that I'm ready to go to war for my alliance, and we are prepared for the long haul."
"Joe, if things go haywire tonight, do you have a Plan B?"
"We've got a Plan B, but it may not be as good as our Plan A," Joe says. "We realize that the other alliance has thought things out just as much as we have, and that they are smart enough to counter whatever move we make."
"Okay," Jet says. "It is… time to vote."
Kyon gives two thumbs up to Mayuri and Spike.
"Joe, you're up first," Jet says.
The Tribal Council theme "Tally the Vote" plays as the contestants walk over to the voting booth to cast their votes.
Joe goes to vote.
Killua goes to vote.
Kirito goes to vote.
Kyon goes to vote.
"Tonight, we finally get you out of here," Kyon says, holding up his vote for Killua.
Mayuri goes to vote.
Spike goes to vote.
"You lost your vote," Spike reads the note as he goes to vote. "Yeah, this sucks."
"I'll go tally the votes."
Jet gathers the votes, mixes them up a bit, then returns to his podium with the urn.
"If anyone has an advantage or an idol, and you would like to play it, now would be the time to do so."
Mayuri stands up. "I have this," he says.
He hands the paper over to Jet. "This entitles Mayuri to an extra vote," Jet says. "You may go and take-"
"Excuse me," Killua says.
Alice starts slapping her knees and laughing as Killua pulls out his extra vote.
"I've got one myself," he says.
He hands it over to Jet. "Very well, this entitles Killua also to an extra vote."
"You know, that's not all."
Kyon stands up, causing Haruhi to start playfully punching Konata while laughing.
"I've got one as well."
He hands over his piece of paper to Jet.
"Okay then," Jet says. "Kyon also gets an extra vote. All three of you will vote now. Killua, grab the voting urn and take it back to the voting booth, where you may go vote."
Killua takes the voting urn and walks on over to the booth.
"Crazy," Misty whispers to Ami.
Killua goes to vote.
Kyon goes to vote.
Mayuri goes to vote.
"I'll go tally the votes."
Jet walks over, grabs the voting urn, then returns to his podium.
"Once the votes are read, the decision is final, and the person voted out will be asked to leave the Tribal Council area immediately. I'll read the votes."
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"First vote, Killua."
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"Killua."
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"Killua. That's three votes Killua."
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"Killua. Four votes Killua."
Killua remains silently confident.
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"Kyon."
Kyon does a double take.
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"Kyon. That's four votes Killua, two votes Kyon."
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"Kyon. Four votes Killua, three votes Kyon."
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"Kyon. We're tied, four votes Killua, four votes Kyon."
Jet then picks up the voting urn and turns it upside down, shaking it out.
"No votes remaining," he says.
Everyone looks around in amazement, while the Women up in the peanut gallery laugh.
"Okay, here's how this is going to work," Jet says. "Killua and Kyon, you will not vote. Joe, Kirito, Spike, and Mayuri, you will vote, and you must vote for either Killua or Kyon. If you had no vote the first time you went up to vote, you will still have no vote now. Likewise, if you had an extra vote before, you will get an extra vote now, and it'll be waiting for you at the voting booth. Joe, come grab the urn. You're up first."
Joe grabs the voting urn and heads on over to the voting booth.
"What… is… going on?" Michiru whispers to Jasmine in amazement.
Joe goes to vote.
"Kyon, I hope this is enough to send you home, though I can't be sure," Joe says.
Kirito goes to vote.
Mayuri goes to vote, and he votes twice.
Spike goes to vote.
"Still no vote," he mutters, as he returns to his seat.
"I'll go tally the votes."
Jet grabs the voting urn, then returns to the podium.
"Once the votes are read, the decision is final, and the person voted out will be asked to leave the Tribal Council area immediately. I'll read the votes."
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"First vote, Kyon."
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"Killua."
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"Killua. That's two votes Killua, one vote Kyon, one vote left."
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"Kyon. We're tied, two votes Killua, two votes Kyon… no votes left."
The players all look around in amazement, wondering what comes next. Some of the Women cheer from the peanut gallery.
"Okay, here's what happens," Jet says. "If you can come up with a unanimous decision as to which person you want eliminated between Kyon and Killua, then that player will be eliminated. If, however, you are unable to come to a unanimous decision, then Kyon and Killua become immune, and the rest of you pick rocks. Whoever picks the purple rock will be sent home."
"Let's do it," Kirito says.
"Do what?" Joe says.
"Pick rocks."
"Wait, no, I don't want to pick rocks!" Joe says.
"I'm ready to pick rocks, too," Mayuri says.
"Yeah, I'm in for the rocks," Spike says. "I got nothing to lose."
"No, this is not a good idea," Joe says. "We can work it out. Let's discuss which player should go home. I'm flexible."
"Joe, we've got to keep the numbers," Kirito says. "If we turn on our ally Killua, then our alliance is destroyed."
"Besides, I want to experiment with the rocks," Mayuri says. "This is an opportunity I did not get in my first season."
Joe throws his hands up. "All right," he says. "I guess we'll pick rocks."
"Very well then," Jet says, pulling out a bag. "Inside this bag are four rocks. Each of you, pick a rock and keep your hand closed until I say so."
Jet comes over to the players, ready to have them pick rocks.
"I just don't know…" Joe says.
"Go ahead, pick one," Jet says.
Joe picks a rock.
Kirito picks a rock.
Mayuri picks a rock.
Spike picks a rock.
"All right," Jet says. "We're going to count to three, and when we say three, everyone opens their hand. If the rock you hold is gray, you are safe. If the rock is purple, you go home. Ready? One… two… three!"
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Joe opens his hand and looks down at the rock.
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"No!"
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But the cry of "no" does not come from Joe. Rather, it comes from Mayuri, who looks down and sees the purple rock in his hand.
"A failed experiment!" Mayuri exclaims.
Kirito and Joe breathe sighs of relief on seeing their gray rocks, and Killua high-fives both of them. Spike shakes his head, seeing the gray rock in his hand.
"And I was ready to quit," he says.
"Mayuri, you need to bring me your torch," Jet says.
Mayuri gets up and goes to pick up his torch. "No reason to feel bad," he tells the other players. "I love getting to experiment and find out what happens! If the experiment fails, so be it!"
He holds out his torch in front of Jet.
"Mayuri, the tribe has spoken," Jet states, snuffing out Mayuri's torch. "It's time for you to go."
"Good luck!" Mayuri calls to his tribe. "Win a challenge!"
He then walks down the path out of Tribal Council, coming up to a table with a bunch of boxes.
"You must bequeath your Fire Tokens to another player," he reads.
He shakes his head.
"I guess this is my last experiment," he says.
He flips the coin into Kyon's box, then walks away. The camera shifts back to Tribal Council, where Jet chuckles.
"I love to say it, but it has to be said," he muses. "This is clearly a tribe divided. Grab your torches, head back to camp, good night."
The five Men take their torches and walk out of the Tribal Council area.
"My experiment failed!" Mayuri says. "I thought that picking rocks would be the best way of keeping myself alive in this game. As it turned out, it backfired on me! I'm happy that I got the opportunity to experiment with a second playing of this game. But I don't plan on ever playing again. Too many experiments in Squad 12 to do!"
Who voted for whom:
Joe – Kyon, Kyon
Killua – Kyon-Kyon
Kirito – Kyon, Kyon
Kyon – Killua-Killua
Mayuri – Killua-Killua, Killua-Killua
Spike – No vote, no vote
Scenes from our next episode:
The Men prepare for the possibility of being completely wiped out… the Women prepare for a possible vote that is a long time coming… and Jet prepares the players for a possible rough challenge.