This chapter features the start of the Final Tribal Council. That, and the Vote Reveal, are for the next chapter.

Back to our regularly scheduled program.

Merged Tribe

Night 39

They've made it. No more eliminations. No more shenanigans, what's done is done.

The final three is official. Daisy. Dark Samus. Gator Golf. They had their own gameplans, and one had to alter theirs, while two, despite how much they hate each other, stuck to theirs.

The Torch Tree gets one last visit, with three kisses on its cheek. Not the people themselves, but soon those torches have to be separated from their lover.

One already has.

"I thought we'd never get him." Daisy blurts. "Opened it up for all of us."

Monty breaks a branch off a stick. "We deserve one hell of a breakfast for this. Mmm mmm..mouths watering just thinkin' about it."

"Hehe. Yeah…"

Dark Samus keeps to herself, piling more wood with her Gator ally for a nice fire. For once, they are setting their toxicity aside.

Dark Samus: Without me, Cyrax is still here. That's good ammunition against the people next to me. I'll take shots, I don't care. This is for the title. The jury may not like me as a person, but by the end they will respect me as a player.

She's not the only one who gets to voice her opinion of her game, and the jury itself.

That gator sits right next to Daisy this time. "Think we have a shot?"

"If we don't, she beats us up here." She points to her head. "Can't have that."

"I'm with ya."

Monty: I'm hopin' there's some bitterness I can take advantage of. If Daisy's people hold the Li deal against her, I'll pry on it. If the whole jury hates Samus, I'll tell them all the bad things she's done. Haven't done much besides flip, so I need to play this jury.

That just leaves Daisy…

Daisy: I've had to lie, cheat, and steal peoples dreams. But I'd be wasting a spot someone else could have gotten if I didn't play my hardest. I may not be the best player this season, but I can hit this jury speech out of the ballpark. If you asked me how I felt right now, I feel the best I've ever had during this whole experience.

Day 39

Monty's all alone, taking a sip of water when he finds a basket right next to treemail..he rushes towards it, but Daisy basically races him to the basket! She swings the lid open, and inside are everything good about breakfast. Sausage. Bacon. Eggs. Pancakes.

Mouthwatering for a lot of people.

The two team up to bring the grub back to their shelter, with Samis laying inside. She rises up like the freaking Undertaker. "Smells delightful."

Daisy sets a piece of bacon in front of her. "Tastes it too."

Daisy: This is payback for every Tribal I went to, every elimination that gave me a heart attack, and every day I questioned myself because of my circumstances!

She has that grin again.

Daisy: Remember when I broke down? Forget her, she's hiding out, while this refreshed, ruthless version of me comes out to slay.

Monty bites into a pancake, and his eyes roll back. It looks like he went into another world. "Mmmmm…"

Daisy has the same reaction devouring the French toast. Add some syrup and it's PERFECT. She stares at that toast like rainbows are pouring out.

What a lack of food does to people.

The only one who isn't really focused is (Dark) Samus, who lifts that helmet to reveal her blue skin, and shoulder length black hair. It's rare for her, but it's the finals and she doesn't seem to care. "Interested to see how the votes turn out…"

"You listened about Cyrax so we have a better shot." Daisy responds, finishing off another french toast.

"I suppose."

Dark Samus: ….

What's going on?

Dark Samus: When I was having that breakfast, I thought back to last night…their pitches bothered me. Am I dead in the water already? Was all my play for nothing? Daisy and Monty are the easiest to compete with and that thought that it still won't be enough…

She shakes her head, and grits her teeth.

Dark Samus: It's irritating! This is outwit, outplay, outlast, and I'll be damned if someone weaker wins over me! I'm going to burn everyone's games walking into Tribal.

Back to the three together and she has that torch in hand. The other two are far away from the shelter, letting her set it ablaze.

"..you know, I'll miss that shelter." Daisy comments.

"I love how I couldn't get my ass to bed." Monty let's out a laugh.

"I don't remember a single thing about it."

"Then why are you sad?"

"I spent seven years in there."

The two laugh together. Monty's probably happier talking to her rather than one of the most toxic players to play the game.

Monty: I have to claw the MOST. Didn't win immunities, had to flip to survive, and gets dogged on by his, ahem, "alliance" anytime she thought I was wrong. So I'm on the attack. I can't settle for anything but first.

Rites of Passage

It's that time once again, for the finalists to look back on the castaways they played the game with. Some people like to hear reflections, while others tune it out or change the channel.

The three arrive to a path of fifteen torches spread across the beach.

They get to Porkys torch first.

"He was THAT bad?" Monty asks.

"Kid didn't know what he was doing." Daisy answers.

Porky: I don't regret a thing. If those idiots want to see things worse than i do, they can go ahead and see where they went wrong.

They get to Sackboy's torch next.

"Awww Sack…" Daisy whispers.

"He needs another go." Monty says.

"He got done SO wrong! I just wish Megatron wasn't such an ass.."

In Sackboy's confessional..he has a voicebox now! His voice sounds like that of a twelve year old.

Sackboy: It really hurt to be eliminated like that. I loved everyone on my team, and I was just taken. After what he did to me, I got strong, I even got this cute box in my mouth! I can TALK! Woohoo!

At least things are looking up for him.

They get to Brandon's torch next.

"Speaking of someone who got done wrong.." Daisy opens. "He had maybe, the worst allies someone could have.

"Sucks for him. I'd go crazy if someone turned on me that much." Monty responds.

Brandon: If we could actually win the challenges, I could have done pretty well. There was already a big alliance, so if there was a swap I could actually do something.

They get to Gazelle's torch next. All three got to witness his demise.

"Bad move." Is the first peep Dark Samus makes this whole time.

"It was good! He didn't owe the machines anything." Daisy claps back.

"It got him taken out. We could have stuck strong."

"That's Sektor's mistake."

Gazelle: Sektor has a win over me, and it was weird for him to somehow guess who we voted. I thought he'd play it on himself, or even Monty, but nope. I'll say that some of these people are getting a nice cold beer with me after it's all done.

They get to Clank's torch next.

"What a freaking hero." Daisy comments.

"He was crazy for that…but imagine if it worked. That would be his genius move." Monty reflects.

"It's not genius to go into fire with a fire-maker." D. Samus defends, but she gets looks from her fellow cast.

"Stop riding him." Monty's getting fed up.

Clank: I stuck with my principles throughout this game. I made friends, and tried my best to shock a power structure Sektor put in place. There are no regrets for how I handled my last round, because it had to be done to give me a chance. I wish the best of luck to the final three.

That's the end of the pre-mergers reflections, and the final three step up a steep hill to see a lone torch.

Megatron's.

"This guy…" Daisy's frustration in her voice is clear to everyone.

"I didn't like him either." D. Samus admits.

"What are the odds they bring him back?" Monty asks.

"One hundred percent. These shows crave drama." (Dark Samus)

Megatron: In this experiment you will know glory, but if you achieve too much, everyone will come for you. I was a threat to them, and they did the smartest thing they could do. Exterminate me before I become too much.

Cope.

The final three steps down that steep hill, trying not to trip. They spot a vast field with eight torches in a big circle. It's all the jury. They get between them, and focus on the first juror's torch.

Rick.

"He was a great leader, and so nice to have when we sucked." Daisy admits.

"Good head on them shoulders too." Monty adds.

Rick: I don't regret the way I played this game. Keeping my word to my alliance helped get me here. My only regret? Not looking behind me during confessional haha.

The three get to Drax's torch next.

"There's..SO much I can say about him." Daisy says.

"Same here but you might not like it." Monty responds.

"Say it. My criticism isn't all good."

Drax: When I made it to Ponderosa, Rick welcomed me with open arms. I was the most conflicted I've ever been when he left, but it's great knowing I haven't lost everything again.

They reach Sektor's torch next.

"Menace. Just a menace." Daisy says.

"He wasn't the greatest ally…but he has a mind for the game." D. Samus admits.

Sektor: My downfall was putting trust into the wrong people. Betrayal always happens from those closest to you. Besides that fatal flaw, I'm proud of how I've played. I've used methods normal people wouldn't to stay in this game. This cast may hate me, but I've learned love what I do.

They reach Silver Sonic's torch.

"Didn't know much about the guy." Monty admits.

"He closeted himself, and it cost him." D. Samus adds.

Silver Sonic: My social skills aren't to par, but I'm mostly satisfied with my journey. Megatron said I'd be a nobody but after what I've done this season, I believe people will appreciate what i've brought.

They get to Ulala's torch, and Daisy gasps. "Lala…"

"She was pissed. Wonder why?" Monty asks, turning to his toxic ally.

"It was her mistake to trust me."

Daisy spins around. "Well you've gotta explain that to her."

"I know."

Ulala: Going out after all the promises Samus said..sucked. I should have known earlier, but I was getting lost in the moment, and having some fun. When Survivor's fun, it's fun, but when it's dark, you can tell.

They get to Rocket's torch next.

"I can't wait for see he has to say." Daisy says.

"Easy for you say." remarks.

Daisy puts her hands up. "Hey, not my problem."

Rocket: I came in, met new people, blindsided them, fought with them, basically everything i wanted to do except for one thing: win. If I get the call back, I'm comin' for the crown.

They get to Li's torch, and two of the finalists immediately turn to Daisy.

"Think she'll forgive you?" Monty asks.

"I don't need her forgiveness. Just her vote." Don't know if that's Daisy's way of coping, but she's heading in with a confident mindset.

Chun-Li: Being taken out the way I was isn't pleasant, but this experience has showed me what I'm willing to do, and how far I'm willing to go when the time comes for it. I'll protect my people even if it bites me later. Daisy couldn't do the same, and we'll see if she can sweep us off our feet.

They get to the last torch of the circle, and the most recent one to be added: Cyrax's.

"Seemed like a cool cat. Sektor shoulda backed off.." Monty recalls.

"I mean even without him..Cyrax did great. There would literally, br no suspense if he was standing here." Daisy points out.

"I'm glad to have stopped him." Dark Samus goes and takes some credit for that. In her mind she deserves all of it.

Cyrax: I've said enough about my growth. I'm a juror and it's my duty to decide who deserves to be the Sole Survivor. I'll give my vote to who owns their moves, and gives me a good explanation of why they did what they did.

That's everyone. Now it's time to focus on themselves, and what they are going to say later.

The camera zooms out, showing those three surrounded by the torches. They took them out, now it's time to get their vote.

Final Tribal Council: Night 39

The final three enter the set for one last time, those torches in hand. They approach that fire pit, and light those torches up.

Jeff doesn't utter a word, just watching as they sit down with a stern look on his face. He thinks this is the most important ritual in Survivor, so he's treating it like so.

The eight jury members, all clean, watch as it's not their time to speak…yet.

"Alright." Jeff lightly slaps his knees. "Let's begin. When we started, there were eighteen people divided into two tribes. That number dwindled down to twelve, when we merged and a new phase of the game started. One by one, the jury was formed, and the three of you were lucky enough to avoid it."

True.

"We've seen alliances form, some evolve to friendships, and then those bonds get broken. We've had a fair share of betrayal, and targets all over the board." Jeff notes. "Sektor was such a big target he has seventeen votes against him, the most someone has ever had in this specific i series."

He couldn't let himself catch a break, and he ended up on the jury. The winners fate is in his hands this time.

"YOU three..Monty, Daisy, Samus, avoided all those eliminations and made it all the way. Now, instead of their fates in your hands..your fate is in theirs because they have to address and get anything they can out of you, to decide who gets the million dollars and title of Sole Survivor."

Knowing who's left at three, and who's on the jury, this may be a long one.

"Here's how it works: you'll give your opening statements to push on why you should win this game. Then, one by one, all the way from Rick to Cyrax, they will address either one of you, or all of you, and that's when you can really plead your case." Jeff explains.

Don't know how some will come at them.

"Once that's done, you'll have one last chance for a statement, that can convince someone who may not be voting for you..to give you a potential million dollar vote. Then the voting will begin. Got it?"

Nods all around.

"Samus. Let's start with you."

She faces the jury, knowing there could be a stigma attached. "Some of you don't like the way I played. When Sektor left, and these two strong alliances were left, I was backed into a corner. Follow them to the final five and get picked off, or cripple the alliances to give myself a better chance. It wasn't personal, it was business to me, and anyone who says it was doesn't understand why I played that way."

There are confessionals of you enjoying it, so maybe it was.

"If you value strategic play, you'll vote for me tonight."

Rick tilts his head, and Drax is just puzzled. Not the best first impression.

Jeff focuses on Daisy next. "Daisy, you're up."

She faces that jury next. "In a merge with big moves, I only made them when I had to. The flippers around me didn't know when to stop and burnt a lot of trust, but I stuck true to Li until it was time to turn on her. I don't need flips to survive because I've survived EVERY single Tribal this season, and only got votes on the last one."

Ulala starts grinning, while Li doesn't have much of a reaction.

"I'm ready to explain why I did the things I did. Can't wait." She ends it with a smile, and adjusts herself.

Jeff faces that gator next. "Monty, you're up."

"Ok so—" he points a claw at his ally. "When that girl said it was business, she's LYIN'! You didn't see her giggling with glee, and loving allll the turmoil. She's not just a villain, she's a psycho, and I dunno about you but I wouldn't reward someone like that with money."

The jury minus the cyborgs double take at this situation. Rockets chuckling. "He's messin' around."

Monty goes on. "Yeah, we flipped together but when one of my targets went home I didn't need to talk a bunch a smack about them. It's game, and she makes it so vicious man. SO vicious…I can spill everything."

She turns to him. "Trying to play the hero.."

"I'm gooder than you."

"Already flubbing, this should be fun."

Daisy just smirks, and Jeff's got excitement in his eyes. "You all might need a little more of that, because.." he gestures to the jury. "All the power is shifting into their hands. Collect yourselves, and get ready because people either make their chances, or break them apart…"

The host turns to the jury, and utters one word.

"Ready?"

Confessional Count (Everyone but the F3 gets one added, due to the rites of passage)

66– Daisy ( + 11)

58– Dark Samus ( + 9)

53– Monty ( + 7)

71– Cyrax ( + 11)

61– Chun-Li ( + 3)

56– Rocket

39– Ulala

35– Silver Sonic

41– Sektor

29– Drax the Destroyer

27– Rick Grimes

20– Megatron

16– Clank

12– Mighty Gazelle

10– Brandon

5– Sackboy

4– Nabbit, Porky Munch