Ticket here, welcome back to another chapter in this series! After last nights vote-off, and Safety Without Power play, we are dealing with the aftermath of all that chaos. Plus, there is setup for these next two days in the game, where loyalties will definitely be tested! It's the final seven, we're almost in the end-game! That finale draws nearer…

With that being said, enjoy :)

Players: Chun-Li, Cyrax, Daisy, Dark Samus, Montgomery Gator, Rocket Raccoon, and Ulala

Jury: Rick Grimes, Drax the Destroyer, Sektor, and Silver Sonic

39 days. Seven people. But only ONE survivor!

Merge Camp

Night 32

Six are on their way back, but only one player remains at camp. Cyrax. After his play, he's been waiting at camp. To him, there's not much suspense since he saw that clear writing on the wall, but he played his afvantage for insurance..and more of course.

He's taking a peek at the walkway, and doesn't see any fire in the distance yet.

"Must have been a hectic Tribal."

Cyrax: The moment Jeff asked me about how my time has been..THAT was a warning sign. It's better to play it and be safe than hold it and be sorry. With no advantage, that's more incentive for our swings to flip back over.

His tribe arrives, leaning their torches on the Torch Tree. He sees no Silver Sonic, and he knows exactly where the swings went.

"That was a good play. Haven't seen an advantage like that yet." Li admits.

"Now you have."

Daisy yawns. "Baller move."

"Did that exhaust you?"

"Nope, just tired."

Daisy: Even if I wanted to get him, I couldn't. He always has some smart plan to get out of it. Why are we hounding Rocket when Cyrax is a threat too?

The cyborg's night isn't done, because (Dark) Samus and Monty get him on the shore to brief him.

"We just trusted him less. With him out of the picture, we could flip the numbers." The evil clone admits.

"Whichever woman you want to write down, we'll do it. We have nobody else to turn to." The cyborg responds.

The gator yawns, ready for that sweet nap time. "Agh…strategy stuff."

Cyrax pats him on the shoulder. "Are you an insomniac? You're tired every time I see you."

"Nah, these talks just bore me."

The evil clone gives him a death stare, Monty just looks towards the moon. Shining, shimmering, splendid.

Dark Samus: Those machines are helpless. It's easy for me to flip over and aid them. However, these are threats that will stab me in the spine later. My future's unclear.

Speaking of machines. After that talks done, Rocket pulls Cyrax aside next.

"This has been the busiest night of my life." The cyborg says.

"It's gonna get busier." The raccoon gets to his eye level. "There's so many flaws in the plan. If you kept your vote, they might have stayed."

"They wouldn't have."

"Maybe not, but man…we got no advantages, no numbers, nothing. You STILL sure you can read them?" Rocket asks.

"Again..they are rational. Samus is, any way. She won't keep a trio around at six, and Monty will follow her." Cyrax answers. "I still have faith in her to cut more throats."

Rocket seems unsure. "She has better bonds over there. She gonna flip on them for the people who got Sektor?"

"..that's something she'll look past in the end."

"Oh my god.."

In confessional, he's sitting on a rock.

Rocket: Can ya blame me? This plan is about reading the most mysterious person here! How are we supposed to predict where she goes, when she flipped on us the first time?

Even with his hesitation, Cyrax reassures him. "If we fail, this is MY blunder. If we succeed…let's hope we succeed."

"Hope so…"

Cyrax: We're the "helpless" machines going against a threatening trio. No advantages to worry about, no safety blankets, just the two of us. The moment our swings see they are at the bottom, the better chance we have for the "Addition by Subtraction." 4 to 3, the women will be split.

At the shelter, Samus and Monty crawl in with the women.

"It's nice seeing you out of your shell." Li tells the clone. "We thought you were Sektor's follower."

"It's impossible to follow such an arrogant man." She responds. "He wasn't going to last."

"Wow…" Daisy mutters.

"What's so shocking?"

"I didn't know you felt that way about him. Super quiet about it."

If I spoke up, he would have slandered me. He's ruthless." The clone explains.

Dark Samus: I'm getting better at this.."social game." The women are accepting, and the machines need me. Best seat in the household.

Eventually, Cyrax and Rocket join them in the shelter. Nobody really seems to be tired, so Samus is passing the time with a story.

"It's good to know I'm accepted..after all I've been through in life." She starts. "My childhood was terrible."

"Well you got out of it, right?" Daisy asks.

"It was a rough road. Starting off in poverty, staying there for such a long time. My family works from check to check, so this opportunity means everything to me." The clone vents, cracking her voice.

"We're glad you're here." Li responds. "You're showing those in poverty that they can make progress."

In confessional, Dark Samus covers her face. She sniffles, is this emotion?

She just starts laughing.

Dark Samus: I've never been through poverty. I put people through it. I've done so much worse in life and these people are eating it up. They think I'm genuine? That was your first mistake.

While she gives her crocodile tears, Rocket just has a blank expression.

Rocket: …is she even crying? Is this the cold-hearted woman I met? No, I can't believe that. She's faking it. But I say that, production will vote me out so…

He puts a finger to his mouth.

Rocket: shhhh..

So Rocket knows this is out of the ordinary for her. He risks torching his social game so maybe it's the right move to stay quiet. Or at least express it in private.

Day 33

Chun-Li, Cyrax, Daisy, Dark Samus, Montgomery Gator, Rocket Raccoon, and Ulala

It's raining cats and dogs, and the tribe is back in their shelter. They aren't silent about it though.

"It'll rain a sunny day, i know shinin down like water." Daisy sings.

"I wanna knowww, have you ever seen the rain?" Rocket sings along.

"I wanna know" Everyone's in now. "Have you ever seen the rain?"

Monty puts his guitar to work. "Comin' down on a sunny day."

In confessional, he's feeling the rain too.

Monty: This weather is ass. Doesn't mean we gotta stay bored.

The Gator has something else cooked up. "AND WHEN I SAW HER FACE,"

"NOW I'M A BELIEVER!"

"AND NOT A TRACE"

"OF DOUBT MY MIND!"

This is the best time they'll have all day.

Daisy: I'm shocked we haven't killed each other. We shouldn't be carol'ing…but I can't get enough of it! It helps me forget I'm starving.

Her stomach grumbles.

Daisy: Quiet down there!

The rain dies down later, reduced to mere sprinkles. It didn't take long for everyone to leave the shelter and go their separate ways…or similar ways depending on who they are.

Li and Daisy are back on the shore, circling each other again.

"Remember: Don't rush. That makes you vulnerable." Li says. The two close in, and Daisy goes low..but her teacher just picks her up like lightweight and tosses her to the side. "Don't be predictable. People will read you like a book, and humiliate you in battle."

The princess raises her head from the sand, and lets out a cough. "You are brutal."

"You asked for training."

Sarasaland's rep dusts herself off. "With a nice dose of reality…"

Chun-Li: Any time I knock her down, she gets back up. I respect her grit, it's what we all need to make it on the island. The reminders are useful.

She pauses.

Chun-Li: The reminders are to myself as well. So far, I've made the last call every vote. When the time comes for adversity, I can't run. I've made it this far. If I run, there's no way I can win the grand prize.

They take a breather in the sand. Daisy exhales. "I love it. Hate it too."

"That happens."

"How do you keep doing this? Doesn't it hurt to throw hands every day every week?" She asks.

"You'll get used to it."

"..Next time I'm kicking your ass."

Daisy: She's a boss, how can anyone beat her? I go up, she reads me. I go down, she reads me. This woman is scary!

While they spar, there's a raft in the water, holding the guys. Cyrax stands above everyone, looking to catch the biggest fish in the pond. "A little closer.."

Monty snickers to the raccoon. "Watch this.." he starts rocking the boat back and forth, but the cyborg is frozen in place. "Is that supposed to scare me?"

"You're a big boy."

"Not if we do THIS." Rocket starts rocking the boat too, cackling at his shenanigans. When the metal animals combine, it trips Cyrax up! He almost falls off, but grabs an end and flips it himself!

"AH!" (Monty)

"WOAH!" (Rocket)

That boats upside down, and the guys pop their heads up. Even though he's the one who flipped the boat, Cyrax isn't impressed. "Step up your tomfoolery."

Rocket spits some water out, like a fountain. "MORE? You don't want more!"

"I beg to differ."

Monty watches their little spat, and gets a confessional.

Monty: I vibe with the guys. Rocket's a blast to have ariund, and Cyrax is better than I thought. He's a funny guy, just has a very dry sense of humor. Doesn't click with everyone.

The three end up taking their boat back to shore.

The cyborg turns to Rocket. "That's the most action you've gotten in eons."

"Coming from someone who can't even get any."

"Don't speak of yourself like that. Still holding up the mirror."

Monty's jaw drops. "Damn…is there actual beef or?"

"We're bantering. Has Dundee found you yet?" Cyrax asks.

"Not even close." The gator responds, taking it in stride.

Monty: Some people don't know that difference between bantering and attacks. They'll find out, I'll leave 'em be.

Cameraman: …

Monty: Have you SEEN that cyborg? He can rip my jaw off, and I don't need to get torn up again! I'm not fighting him. Not now. Outside a' this he can come and get it.

While they hang out, there's two left that haven't been covered: Ulala and Dark Samus. They're at the well, the evil Samus scooping water into their canteens. Odd to see someone like her being so…courteous all of a sudden. She's working on that social game.

Shockingly, it's not game talk.

"You survived that at the age of twelve? What happened to that reporter?" The clone asks.

Ulala takes a sip. "Still haven't found him, but I won't stop. He deserves a thank you.'"

"Hm. You aren't even phased recalling that."

"I don't have any tears left in me." The reporter admits.

Ulala: I go with my gut. Like what's the point of hesitating when you know you're gonna act? But, my time here's taught me that I can't rush in, or avoid people when the whole point is staying calm and talking to everyone. If Samus wants to talk, let's talk. I'll spill whatever I can.

The clone gets back on that tale. "This game tests the will of anyone who plays."

"Tests your confidence. Never felt this bad in a looong time."

"Lucky for us, we're in the end stretch."

Dark Samus: The women have fascinating stories. They've had to claw their way to their places in life. Those are great stories…stories that could threaten me later. We know a reward may be coming up, so when I win, I must pick wisely.

She manages to get a little strategy talk later, when she and Cyrax are alone.

The cyborg talks like he's eager for this. Well, he is. "We know those women are unbreakable. The moment they have the numbers, we'll be sitting on the jury."

"That jury does have their biases too…"

"They are too threatening to keep intact. Any advantages we have, are flushed. They can push our threat level, but theirs have risen on numbers alone. All we can rely on are your votes." He argues.

"You make a good argument.."

"Those women are deadlier than you think. They blindsided Drax, cut Sektor's throat, and will get you too. They could take us out, and turn the vote onto you to protect themselves." Cyrax continues.

"You stabbed Sektor in the back too."

"I did, but they've betrayed plenty more than I have." The cyborg points out. "They'll smile at your face, and plot behind your back. Anything to keep control."

Tbe clone looks down at the dirt below. "Do you have a name?"

"Are you with us?"

The clone smirks under the mask. "Of course. I have a name: Ulala."

"She DID initiate last night. It's time we avenge our fallen brother."

Dark Samus: Cyrax is great at arguing. That's why he and Rocket are the biggest threats this island has seen. The women can betray me, but they could do the same. I don't trust anyone but me, and I'll go with whichever side benefits me.

Cut to Cyrax's confessional.

Cyrax: She can't deny what's in front of her. We are the bottom feeders. Use our "disadvantage" to YOUR advantage. If we kept Silver around, one of us would be going home, and there's no chance of getting her. Now, knowing her, she WILL flip whether she trusts the women or not.

He points both fingers at his head.

Cyrax: Think of the numbers, it's what you do.

Well, it seems to be a chill day. Li and Daisy having a nice sparring session, the guys messing with each other on the boat, and Ulala tells (Dark) Samus about some of her backstory. There WAS some strategy at the end though, where Cyrax started his campaign to flip Samus over. This moment of weakness is still what he wants, so he and Rocket are likelier to GET the two swings on their side this time. It has its flaws though, and maybe Rocket isn't wrong to be apprehensive.

Next chapter features another reward challenge, and the sweet sweet reward itself! I'll see you at the next part of Day 33!