The Guilds:
The Sahra Guild: Eleanor, Hansel, James, Jianne, Kairo, Laurie, Luna, Selena
The Majraa Guild: Amethyst, Braden, Declan, Katniss, Larissa, Vivian L., Vivian P.
The Kaniun Guild: Drake, Evelyn, JT, Lizzy, Tony, Wendy, Winter
The Aljibal Guild: Christopher, Cole, Harry, Jeremy, Mason, Rosa, Trevore
Desert Exiles: Allen
"Last time on Total Drama Qatilat…
"We were introduced to 30 new contestants and boy they caught on quick to what was going on. After all the boats arrived, they were immediately placed into a challenge to divide all the contestants who completed into guilds. Sure, it was difficult to edit, but 29 contestants crossed the finish line. Allen, whose coins were recently stolen by James, has been left in the desert to collect 11 coins for another 72 hours or less.
"Afterwards we took them to Da Shoppe where the contestants purchased tools and food to survive in the game. Laurie purchased from the miscellaneous aisle with a sponge, and Cole purchased the mystery box, deeming that to be the 'treasure chest' of this season. And you know what? He's not wrong!
"The Guilds began working on their living spaces for the season, and the episode ended with my handsome self shuffling a deck of cards!
"What do those cards mean? Which Guild will conquer the next challenge? And who will be taken to the no-prisoners camp? Find out here, on Total! Drama! Qatilat!"
The Aljibal Guild
Contestants: Christopher, Cole, Harry, Jeremy, Mason, Rosa, Trevore
Rosa, Harry, and Mason all dropped planks of wood down in front of Trevore's feet.
"That will be enough!" Trevore lined up some of the old wooden planks. "Now help me line these up!"
Confessional: Harry: The Aljibal Guild
"So Trevore's help on the shelters has turned more into 'Trevore dictatorship' and 'what Trevore says goes, and no one is allowed to say anything that makes sense.' This man is quite the tricky one. He made the three of us retrieve the wooden planks from some ruins not too far away. I think he believes we're going to make some rafts and duct tape them together for walls. I have no clue what he's thinking for a roof or how we're going to retrieve even pieces of wooden planks." Harry sighed. "As you can tell, this is a very frustrating situation."
End Confessional
Harry shook his head. "This isn't going to work the way you think it will, Trevore."
Mason shook his head. "I beg to differ. I think this will be a great foundation to build on top of!" Mason helped Trevore line the shelters up together.
Jeremy returned from his walk to gather foliage and vines. "What is going on here?"
"Trevore has decided to take charge." Rosa sighed. "We're not getting much work done, and I'm afraid we will be left with shelters that could only stand for a few days."
Harry thought for a second. "We'll let those two have at it for what they're doing if they really want to do it. We can start our own shelters since we have plenty of resources to get started. And hey, we're still a team. If theirs falls apart from… whatever they are doing, we can always show them how we did ours."
"Let's get started then." Rosa left to line up some of Jeremy's freshly chopped logs.
Confessional: Mason: The Aljibal Guild
"I know! I know! You're here for the jokes! Where are they? Right here!" Mason reached into his back pocket and pretended to take something out to show the camera. He put the 'joke' back in the same pocket. "They're going there because Trevore is a one man show! I really want to see how spectacular the crash and burn of this guild will be." Mason's eyes glistened. "Maybe it will be because of me!" He laughed. "Maybe, but it might also be some of the other players here. We will see!"
End Confessional
Near his almost completed shelter, Jeremy chopped some more planks for guild use. Trevore approached Jeremy. "Do you think you could cut me the perfect piece?"
Jeremy stopped for a second. "Well, if you want to get technical, no, but I can sure try. What kind of piece are you looking for?"
Trevore and Jeremy spoke about the specifics of the piece Trevore was trying to acquire.
Jeremy hacked his knife at the wood. "So Trevore. Was there any particular reason as to why you wanted to help with the shelters?"
"Well, I'm glad you asked!" Trevore cleared his throat. "I just thought that would be a good place for me to show off my greatness! Before this season started, I knew next to nothing about survival, and it actually really scared me. But Trevore did not cower, so I played lots of survival video games like SIMS 4, Minecraft, and Ark: Survival Evolved. I learned one most important thing about shelters, you need to have walls! So I had everyone go to the old prison because ancient places always have something valuable! Whether it's the walls themselves or just treasure to begin with! That's why we're making our shelters out of ruins! I think it's a great idea, but who knew that finding fresh things off from a tree would be even better."
Jeremy cocked his head to the side. "Well, you know, it may not always be the most moral thing, stripping someone's home just to form your own, but this is survival here. The world is much colder than we think."
"Much colder than up here." Trevore winked. "You're doing great, Jeremy. Everyone here is doing great!"
"I'm glad you think that of your guild, Trevore. It will make getting along with everyone much easier, and hopefully our games much easier."
"I have social game. It's so good. You know, I'm one of the most popular people in my hometown. Everyone likes me!" Trevore hit a pose. "Especially me!"
Jeremy nodded. "Then you must make a great social leader. Perhaps, not so much survival. Now, let's get our shelters fixed up."
Confessional: Jeremy: The Aljibal Guild
"It was quite interesting getting insights from Trevore. He tends to brag about himself a lot, and I guess if you're involved with him, he'll brag about you too. He's not as bad as I thought he would be, but the rest of the guild may not be thinking that way. I'll let him think he's the leader in an aspect that suits him better, but I'm glad I was able to convince him off from the shelters."
End Confessional
Rosa, having finished from her shelter, used the spare pieces of wood to form another fire.
Christopher walked up to her. "Heeeyyy."
"Hey." She replied, focused on her fire.
"What are you doing so far from everyone else?"
"I'm… in the middle of camp."
"Yeah, but everyone else is out there." Christopher pointed out, but Rosa never looked up. "I don't want you to feel excluded."
"I'm just fine."
"But… but… I just wanted everyone to be best friends!"
Cole approached the circle. "Oh Christopher, our new friend, Rosa, might sometimes need a moment to herself. Why don't we… go over here and… talk about how cool our shelters are!"
"Yeah! That sounds great!" Christopher cheered.
Confessional: Cole: The Aljibal Guild
"I could see from far, far away that Christopher, although he means no harm, was about to make Rosa pop a gasket. And now, that would not be ideal because it would not fit the picture of Christopher's Guild of Friends."
End Confessional
Confessional: Rosa: The Aljibal Guild
"I'm glad our guild isn't what I thought it would be." Rosa stroked her fingers through her ponytail. "Mason actually isn't being too much of a jerk like he first was acting. Cole is actually pretty aware of what is going on around him, and his pirate impression is quite amusing. Jeremy is a lot stronger and faster than he looks, which is good. I didn't want to have to carry all the weight on this team. Trevore was being annoying, but he stopped somehow. Harry is pretty good at leading us in a survival stance too. Christopher is nice, but I'm glad Cole was able to shoo him away for a moment. I don't dislike Christopher or anything, just… everyone here can be a bit much, and it's more overwhelming when you're the only girl. Like who am I going to talk to when… girl things happen?"
End Confessional
Harry approached Rosa, who was struggling with striking the flint and steel. "It works best when you strike the stone all the way through the steel and guide it towards the fire."
Rosa did just that, but still struggled to get a spark going. "It's not working…"
"It takes time to get good at striking a fire." Harr replied as Rosa passed him the materials, and he lit a fire in a couple quick swipes. They placed larger logs over the fire.
"Thank you." Rosa nodded. "I was getting frustrated."
"You're welcome. But I know that it may not have been just the fire."
"Thanks for noticing, though I'm not sure I could ever return that favor."
Harry nodded. "Just try not to feel too left out in this guild. You have a place here, and we appreciate it."
The Kaniun Guild
Contestants: Drake, Evelyn, JT, Lizzy, Tony, Wendy, Winter
"JT and I found this here cave, and we already rigged it with the bear traps, so we should be safe." Wendy announced, leading her clan to the place JT and her found within the canyon.
Lizzy brushed off a rock and sat down. "Well, this place isn't that bad."
Wendy leaned against an adjacent rock. "JT and I made this our little living room. We even wanna try to make a little chimney so we can cook inside of here."
"That sounds like an excellent idea!" Tony nodded. "I'm glad you have already rigged this place to our comfort."
JT pointed towards the back of the cave. "And this is where we will sleep. We figured it was big enough for all of us, but we will have to pair up."
Winter gasped from outside the cave. "Look!" The Guild rushed out of the cave. "We even have close access to some of the agriculture that was here before."
JT tried to look out in the distance. "I can't see it…"
Winter took a picture with her camera and showed JT. "Oh, sweet!"
"Well," Wendy started, "that about does it for our tour! Thank you fer ridin' the Canyon train!"
"Uh," Drake cleared his throat, "I believe it was Kaniun."
"Ah, who cares! They're cognates anyway. Anywho, let's start makin' food!"
Tony's stomach rumbled. "Food sounds excellent after a day of trekking."
Winter approached Wendy. "So how should we help with cooking?"
Wendy looked confused for a second. "Oh, you're talking ta me 'cuz you think I'm the leader."
"Well, you did find us this place and have been thinking about where to go."
"And you did give me all the things to help you with when it came to getting this shelter together." JT decided to add.
"I'm just ridin' the wave." Wendy made a wave motion with her arms. "I ain't no leader type, and I'm not too concerned whether we have one or not. I just wanted a spankin' place to live, and after that, I want some killer food. Are there any chefs here?"
No one spoke up.
"Well," JT decided to speak, "we should start by getting some rice."
Wendy shook her head. "It's not as easy as you think it is. After cutting the stalks from the ground, we have to let them dry for 2-3 weeks."
Drake shrugged. "So we can't just pan dry them?"
Wendy shook her head. "Nah, nah, nah, that's the step we take after the stalks dry fer 2-3 weeks."
"Are you kidding me?" JT facepalmed. "Why didn't you tell us any of this before I didn't buy us any rice?"
Wendy shrugged. "We have dried meats and beans. As well as everything else we collected on the way here. We will be fine for 2-3 weeks. We can start work tomorrow morning. I know we're all tired right now."
"Oh no," Evelyn spoke up, "I'm fine, and I actually want to get to work on the chimney if someone wants to come with me."
"I'll help." Winter pitched. "I just recommend you all stay out of the living room area."
"If that's the case," Tony stood up, "I'll come with you guys."
Confessional: Tony: The Kaniun Guild
"I'm glad Wendy didn't want to be Guild leader, even though that's the role she's putting on." He shrugged. "She's forced to as she knows the most of living off of the land than the rest of us do, and that's what we need right now. Once we get our place in shape, she'll likely back down from the role, and that's when I'll emerge. If it just so happens to be too late, I will just play the role of social mediator. I think that'll do just as fine.
"Now, I decided to help with the chimney because I wanted to have a chat with one contestant who is also off to fix the roof. I just have to get some alone time."
End Confessional
Winter, Evelyn, and Tony managed to punch a hole in their roof, but still needed a way to ensure that the fire won't get rained on.
Winter nodded. "We need a more proper chimney."
Tony looked out for some rocks. "Winter, you and I can go fetch some rocks to make the main channel. I suppose the hole in the roof will have to do for the night. We can pick up our work tomorrow morning. For now, let's gather supplies. Evelyn, do you mind making a fire for the camp?"
"Sure thing." Evelyn winked and climbed off the top of the cave.
Tony and Winter went about their way to collect medium sized stones.
"I just wanted to have a small chat with you, Winter."
"Oh, you did?"
"I did." Tony smiled. "After all, you didn't bother buying anything for the guild during our little shopping adventure."
Winter picked up a rock. "Well, the guild was already buying so many things. All bases were covered, and it seemed like we didn't really need to buy anything else."
"I see. I was just making sure you wouldn't be the type to hoard money for one of those game advantages."
"I'm not hoarding my money. In fact, I will show you how much I have." Winter opened her pouch to reveal ten coins. "I didn't bother collecting more than the challenge total. I didn't want to throw my spot in the game just to try and collect more coins."
"Well, you see, our guild could have used a bag of rice-"
"And buying the food was JT's task. Not mine. On top of that, we were led to believe we would be getting rice from the rice terraces. None of us knew that it would take so long to actually harvest, aside from Wendy."
"Don't worry, Winter. I'm not berating you for not purchasing anything. You have only been honest to me, and I'm glad I was able to get your side of the story. Everything makes perfect sense from my point of view."
"Good. I don't want to come off the wrong way."
"That's alright. Now, let us continue collecting more rocks."
Confessional: Winter: The Kaniun Guild
"I mean, I wasn't holding on to my coins for a game advantage, but I was partially thinking of getting one in the future. I'm mainly hanging onto them because I collected the minimum amount, everything seemed to have been purchased to the point where we even purchased luxuries! On top of that, I'm sure there are ways Chris will be trying to flush out our coins. I don't want to fall victim to any of that."
End Confessional
Dinner had been served in the Kaniun campsite. The contestants were fed enough to ease their appetites. Evelyn had told the guild she went out for an evening walk, and returned with sticks that were around her size.
"Now that I've arrived," Evelyn put her hands on her hips, "we can get this party started!"
"Party?" Drake asked.
Evelyn arranged the large logs over the fire so that the flame burned to a magnificent blaze.
"Woohoo!" She cheered. "Now that is how you make a fire in Total Drama!"
"Woo-wee!" Wendy also cheered. "What a splendid idea! I love a good showdown!"
"Showdown?" Evelyn asked.
"Showdown: that's Pinkerton talk for a party. Only because mah cousin Phil would swing me 'round, and all the rest of the family would partake in a square dancin' contest!"
"Ooh!" Evelyn clapped her hands. "I love a good dance!"
"Anyone here play any sort of instrument?"
Drake shrugged. "Well, I play the drums, but unless you want me to bang on some rocks…"
Evelyn threw her arms up. "Hell yes you can bang on some rocks!"
And so Drake banged on some rocks with a few sticks. The two girls started off dancing with each other but ended up dragging others who wanted to join when they 'swung their partner round'. Lizzy, who had wanted to join, joined in with Evelyn, and Wendy pulled JT into the dancing arena. Winter took a few pictures of her fellow competitors dancing, set up a tripod to take pictures during their little party, and joined in on the fun herself. Tony ended up joining the dance circle via Wendy dragging him into it, but he did not complain and complied with the fun.
"Damn Lizzy," Evelyn said as she and Lizzy danced together, "you are one hell of a dancer!"
"You gotta dance in cheer! How are you so good?"
"I party a lot. Freestyle dancing is something I'm good at." Evelyn backed away from her partner to show off a solo moment. The competitors circled around her in awe of some of her moves. As Evelyn came to an end for her little dance, Lizzy appeared at the right moment to end the dance with her partner. The rest of the guild clapped, and Drake hit his 'drumsticks' together to resemble clapping.
During the uproar, Lizzy whispered to Evelyn. "We could make a good alliance! At least, let's start with not voting for each other."
Evelyn smiled. "I'll take the latter part of that deal."
The clapping died down, and Lizzy and Evelyn shook hands.
"Hangin' in there, Drake?" Wendy called out.
Drake hit his 'snare'. "Yeah, don't worry about me. I'm definitely more a drummer than a dancer. I'm having my own party over here!"
"What's the next number?"
"Oh, uh," Drake thought for a moment, "okay, this is the beat to one of my favorite songs 'Think of Hellfire'." Drake hit his rocks with ferocity. The beat was quite quick, so the contestants had to move fast on their feet. Much of the square-dancing had finished, but Wendy and JT hung onto each other.
"I kinda admire you, fellow." Wendy winked at him.
"Oh yeah? Because I'm strong." JT flexed his one arm.
"I mean, yes, but also because you're missing an arm!"
"Oh, that's something I don't wanna talk about."
"No, that's fine! I just thought it was cool!"
"Oh, uh, thank you?"
"You're darn welcome, partner!"
The dance had gone on for quite a while longer until the contestants became tuckered out of the fun and drifted off to bed.
Evelyn had laid on her sheets, not feeling sleepy in the slightest. She sat up to take a drink of water, but noticed light down the cave.
Drake was at the fire, still honing the flame, though the flame was the size of a usual fire and not the bonfire from before.
"You're still up." Evelyn said.
Drake, not realizing Evelyn was there, jumped a bit in his seat. "I am. I don't really sleep much at night."
"Me neither. Although I used to."
"I just like it at night. I feel more energized."
Evelyn laid down on one of the rocks. "Well, I'll probably still be up for a while."
"Me too. Anything you want to chat about?"
The two ended up talking for a majority of the night. When they both felt sleepy enough, they trudged their way towards their sheets.
The Sahra Guild
Contestants: Eleanor, Hansel, James, Jianne, Kairo, Laurie, Luna, Selena
Night time had fallen, and the guild had eaten an underwhelming dinner. Kairo had assured the others that the meal period would be better the next day and went off to bed. The fire crackled upon Selena, Luna, and Jianne.
"So what are we to do?" Luna mulled.
"Survive, fight, win!" Selena said.
"But right now? I won't be able to sleep without my phone."
"Um," Jianne pondered, "doesn't blue light worsen your sleep?"
"I mean, it does, but scrolling through social media is a part of my nighttime ritual."
"Or," Selena stretched, "you could just be like one of us. A night owl!"
"So… you don't sleep?" Luna questioned.
"I sleep, just not at night."
"So what do you do when everyone else's asleep?" Jianne asked.
"I hang out with my gang. We race, we play chicken. It's a good time. Any of you guys night owls?"
Jianne giggled. "Well, it depends on how long Luna usually stays on her phone at night."
"What do you mean?" Luna questioned.
"Well, I hope you're aware that staying up on your phone is a conscious decision. So whatever time you usually go to bed is the time you will likely go to bed tonight."
"Ugh." Luna sulked, while knowing what Jianne was saying might actually be true.
"What time do you usually end up falling asleep?" Selena asked.
"Well, usually by midnight, one or two if what I'm reading is interesting."
Selena shook her head. "Nah, see I go to sleep at maybe five if I'm feeling generous to myself, not at all if I have class, eight if I decided I'm skipping, or seven on a usual weekend."
"So what are you going to do when the two of us go to bed?" Jianne asked.
Selena shrugged. "I haven't made up my mind yet. Maybe race myself on foot, race a tortoise, race a hare, or maybe even race a panther!"
"The panther will win." Jianne rolled her eyes.
"Okay, now I'm definitely racing a panther."
"You will die!"
"I won't die if I have a fish in my hand." Selena laughed. "Oh yes, this is a perfect way to spend my time."
"Well, good luck." Jianne stood up. "I'm going to bed. Nice chatting with you all."
"Good night." Selena saluted.
"Night." Said Luna.
Confessional: Jianne: The Sahra Guild
"Selena's pretty cool. She's got an interesting story too. Luna, though, I can't stand being around her. It kinda sucks because she seems leeched onto me for some reason! The most she does is complain about her phone not being with her, so she must've had it since she was three or something. Far too young, and also, she gives me super rich vibes based on the way she acts. Remind me why she is here for a million dollars?"
End Confessional
Selena and Luna hung by the fire.
Luna stroked her chin. "Say Selena. You said that you sleep in?"
"I definitely will. There's nothing I can do about it now. The life of racing and ruling the streets really changes your sleep schedule. I make it work though."
"I see… so I was just gonna say that I will totally cover all your chores tomorrow while you sleep in!"
"Oh, thanks. That's big! That's like hacking the professor's notes so I can have them big!"
Luna flipped her hair back. "I honestly wonder if that is something I can actually pull off though. Too bad I don't have any sort of device…"
A new day arose in the Sahra Guild. Kairo, Luna, Laurie, Jianne, and Eleanor all marched back after their voyage for all kinds of wood. Firewood, structure wood, material wood. Any and all wood was what they set out for.
Afterwards, the guild, led by Kairo, separated the wood and decided which of the wood would be used for firewood. For the wood that wasn't the firewood, they took to the boiling water at camp, courtesy of James and Hansel, to clean with their sponge. In the meantime, they also cleaned their clothes from the other day. After that, they took the time to chop up the wood for things that they may need everyday, such as reusable spoons and knives, plates, clothes pins, and 'cabin' structure. The rest of the firewood was given to James and Hansel to chop up and organize into their own categories.
Confessional: Hansel: The Sahra Guild
He had his arms crossed in the confessional. "James and I lucked out and got the easier task, but we sure had much to say when we were also tasked with chopping the firewood and cooking lunch for everyone, but I suppose that's what Kairo had in mind for making things 'fair.' He's a pretty good team captain though. Definitely takes the spotlight off some of us who slink under the radar."
End Confessional
Selena stepped out of the cabin and stretched and yawned. "Good afternoon!"
Kairo checked the sundial that they had also made during their montage. "It's actually still the morning."
Selena froze. "Really?
Kairo shrugged. "I suppose it's barely morning at this point, but no worry. You still did a great job last night!"
Confessional: Kairo: The Sahra Guild
"I know what it looks like, and I assure you that it is not! Selena, without me having to tell her, watched the fire all night! I could tell it was a chilly one too. Not only do we still have the same fire, but we are also out of the sticks I purchased. That is what inspired us to the haul in the first place. Now we may have enough wood for the rest of the team section, or at least for a while."
End Confessional
Selena looked around at camp while eating her lunch. "I like what you did with the place."
Kairo nodded. "Well, it took plenty of work. Practically all morning! But we will be much more comfortable, and we likely won't have to do this again for a while!"
"So, I mainly came out here to ask you one thing if you don't mind…"
"Feel free to speak your mind around me."
"I wanted to lead the challenge today!" Selena cheered, catching Jianne's attention.
"Oh… I… well…"
"Look, Survivor Handsome, I feel it in my heels that there's a challenge today, and I challenge that I might be good at!"
"Did you just call me handsome?"
Selena shrugged. "Yeah, 'cause you are. But my request for the challenge was the more important part of that sentence. What do you say?"
"Well, personally, I came to this game to show off the great leader that I am, so I am inclined to say no. Especially since you are going off of the basis of what you inanimate heels feel and not off of pure logic. Look at this place! It would not be the place it is if it weren't for me!"
"Hey now!" Selena spoke up. "I'm not here to steal your position away from you. I just wanted to share the position. Also, you're right. This place is amazing! I just wanted to know if you would let me lead the challenge today. And if we want to go by logic, then take this! Total Drama Island, first challenge: cliff dive! I will decide the order. First, me; second, Laurie; third, Luna; fourth, Jianne; fifth, Hansel; sixth, Eleanor; seventh, James; and last, you."
Kairo thought about the order. "So, explain to me why I go last?"
"I can explain everyone. I go first because hell fucking yes, I will jump first, and ain't no way I'm wearing a chicken hat on my head or let anyone on this clan wear a chicken hat! That's why you go last. You advise the rest of the clan on how to jump and where to go, so they aren't as scared. Laurie goes next because the more skilled people go, the higher chance we have at succeeding and the less scared people will be. I'll leave it to Jianne to convince Luna to jump with her. And Hansel, Eleanor, and James will probably need your help!"
Kairo nodded. "I approve of this. Okay, you can lead us through this challenge, but if we fail, then I will revoke your powers."
Jianne nodded. "I also agree with this."
"Oh," Selena paused. "You're eavesdropping."
"Am not! Your conversation simply caught my interest!"
Kairo rolled his eyes. "I don't suppose you also want to be a team leader."
"Oh, please no. I wouldn't even step up if no one was the leader." Jianne smiled. "I just want to say that the two of you have my support."
Confessional: Jianne: The Sahra Guild
"So, I'm playing the long game here. By the way, I don't heart the team section of the game anyways. But it's simple here. Support both leaders. Kairo has already proven himself. His skills speak for themself! Selena, on the other hand, is like the opposite. She knows shit all about survival and hasn't proven anything but being able to be a complete snoozer. She seems confident in her leadership abilities though, so I'll give her a little benefit of the doubt. We'll see how we do though. Note: Jianne doesn't like losing."
End Confessional
Luna turned to Laurie. "So what do you think of this conversation?"
Laurie kept her eyes on her leaders. "Well, I think it's interesting seeing what challenges have happened in the past. I never really got to watch the show, so I have no clue what is really going on here. It seems like a complicated game."
"I've only seen a small part of the game. But it's reality TV, so I get the general picture of what's going on. I just don't understand why we aren't given amenities, but I'm sure the other guilds are worse off."
"Oh really, why?" Laurie asked.
"Because we have Kairo!" Luna gestured to Kairo.
"When adversity strikes," Kairo held his waterskin up, "I'm the savior you need!"
Eleanor, James, and Hansel sat in a circle a little farther away from the campsite. On some boulders, they ate silently. The silence allowed them to pick up what the others at camp were talking about.
Eleanor shook her head. "I was all for Kairo, but if Selena succeeds, having two team leaders might be a pain."
Hansel sighed. "I have to agree, unfortunately."
James also shook his head. "I also don't think it's right. Be a team leader, fine. I was never opposed to it, but dang, two team leaders feels like a caste system is starting to form. Like, I feel like the rest of us are going to be stuck doing whatever one or the other says."
"It's too much control." Hansel scraped the food onto his 'spoon.' "Almost like a mother and a father that are your age."
Eleanor giggled. "Well, it seems like we're getting a load of all this 'team leader' nonsense."
Hansel giggled back. "Oh, please honey."
"I want one of them gone as soon as possible." James hit his spoon in between the crack of a rock. "I wish there was some way we could have some power though."
"Well," Eleanor held up her coin pouch, "I found an opportunity in our mail this morning."
"Oh really?" Hansel quirked an eyebrow.
"Yeah, it just says that there's a duel today, and it's an opportunity to gain coins, lose coins, or even get bankrupt. It's a risk, but I think one of us should go if we want a little more power."
"If neither of you mind," James spoke up, "I want to go. I'll suffer whatever consequences there are."
"Are you sure?" Hansel stepped up. "It's a pretty big risk."
"Don't worry." James shook his head. "I have a feeling I know what's going to go on down there, and I think the worst case scenario for me is losing coins."
Eleanor stopped James from completely leaving. "We should tell the guild before you go. I don't want anyone to think that you're wandering off."
"You can't just cover for me?" James' eyes widened.
Hansel shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. They will know we're up to something big if we cover for you. I'm afraid you'll have to tell them yourself."
Eleanor picked up for Hansel. "And I think the best time is now. Selena must've fallen back asleep after eating."
Confessional: Kairo: The Sahra Guild
"So, James went to the thing Chris called a 'duel.' I suppose I'm not against it." Kairo held up his pouch of coins. "The only thing I need from the store are things for survival, and I'll barely need those too. Idols and whatnot are all just a big distraction the game wants you to think are helpful. So yes, James can try to get more coins for himself, but I will be taking mental note that someone in the guild is vying for more power."
End Confessional
The Majraa Guild
Contestants: Amethyst, Braden, Declan, Katniss, Larissa, Vivian L, Vivian P
Katniss and Vivian P finished pitching up their shared shelter for the season. "I'm impressed." Vivian spoke up. "I would say building things is one of my weaknesses, and you lead us through that perfectly! Maybe we should make you our leader?"
"Me… lead…ing?"
Vivian P nodded. "Yeah, you know, you tell the guild what to do, what we need. You guide us in the challenges. You could send us places. You know? Leader stuff."
Katniss shook her head.
"Are you sure?"
"You bet…ter talk…ing than me. You strong. You do fight. You lead."
Vivian P shrugged. "I wouldn't be opposed."
Vivian L approached the two. "My fellow Vivian, we've got some clearing up to do with camp!"
Vivian P gasped. "Why? What did we do?"
"We have the same name! That's confusing." The girls sat around the fire with the rest of the guild.
Vivian L pulled out her acoustic guitar from her luggage.
"Woah!" Declan gasped. "You brought a whole guitar?"
"I did." Vivian L smiled. "First of all, I don't think she plays, so that's one way to tell us apart. Second of all, everyone else can bring one personal object of their choice. This is my personal object. Third of all, I brought it for this reason."
Vivian L strummed her guitar and started to sing a tune.
Vivian L: I'm sure you're probably wondering
why we're put in this suffering
and Chris probably thinks this is hilarious.
But we are stronger than he thinks
Cuz we can move right past this clink
All with the little help of song.
(the guitar strumming intensifies)
Vivian L: I'm the one who plays guitar
Vivian P: And I'm the one who can bench your car
Both: You and I both share a name
and it'll be like that for this game
I have no clue why they put both us in this season
There might not be a good reason!
But who cares!
Not me… that's for sure!
(small instrumental)
Vivian L: (not singing) Go on, Vivian! You got this one!
Vivian P: Um, so, I don't ever really sing
And I don't know how to use that thing (she points to the guitar)
(not singing) But I guess I need to set myself apart
(singing) And this song will be a good start!
Vivian L: There you go!
Vivian P: I've come here to win this season
Vivian L: Much like you
Vivian P: It's to help me fight my demons
Vivian L: Oh, like what?
Vivian P: You see, me and my sisters have plight
Almost every single day we have to fight.
And I want to make sure we'll be alright.
(guitar strumming intensifies)
Vivian L: I would go back into the pre-chorus
But I'm having too much fun singing this
(spoken) So it's back to you Viv!
Vivian P: What?
Vivian L: Oh come on! You were doing great!
Vivian P: Well, if you say so!
Aside from my goals, I like to exercise.
And I think I'm doing a good job of improvising.
I'm not so good at building or climbing
But one dinner of mine will get you smiling!
But that's enough of me… Onto you, Vivian!
Vivian L: Geez, well this is one long heck of a verse
And I'm about to make the length even worse
So here's what I got!
People say I have a shot at music
But I use it for amusement
I will always try to be happy
But if something happens that's very crappy
I'll be here, strumming my guitar
And it'll be just like the start
So don't you ever get mixed up!
I'm the one who plays guitar…
Vivian P: And I'm the one who can bench your car!
Both: You and I both share a name
and it'll be like that for this game
I have no clue why they put both us in this season
There might not be a good reason!
But who cares!
Not me… that's for sure!
Vivian L hit the mouth of her guitar. "So don't get mixed up, guys!"
Vivian P giggled. "It's in the song, so you can't!"
Vivian L chef kissed. "It is beautiful! I call it 'The Vivian Song'."
The guild clapped for the two girls' improvised song.
Larissa nodded. "The song was nice and fun and all, but I figure some nicknames would be just a tad more helpful."
Declan clapped. "I agree."
Vivian P clapped her hands. "You guys can call me Sister Vivian! I know it sounds like I'm a nun, but I don't know! It just feels like it fits my overall vibe, you know?"
Vivian L shrugged. "Not quite sure what you could call me. Vivian L. Locke. Lockeheart, even though that's not even my last name. Vivielle. Get it? It's like a combination of Vivian and 'L'."
Declan shrugged. "I like the sound of Vivielle, actually. Sounds kinda pretty."
The rest of the guild agreed on 'Vivielle.'
The Vivians fist bumped. "I guess these will be our new names then!" said Sister Vivian.
Most of the guild dispersed from the fire, but Larissa had not moved since 'The Vivian Song'. In exchange for not moving from her seat, she kept her eye on the fire.
Amethyst took a seat at the fire after returning from hauling some water.
Larissa started the conversation. "You should take some rest. You look tired after doing all that."
Confessional: Amethyst: The Majraa Guild
"It doesn't take a fool to know what Larissa is doing. She is observant, quite like myself, and she may be right in this situation. I do need to rest before the challenge, but that will be simple if I sketch to kill the time."
End Confessional
Confessional: Larissa: The Majraa Guild
"So, I've been by the fire, taking care of it and helping my guild members along the way! You could call it being observant, but everything looks like a nail to a hammer. I can't help but look at things with a keen eye."
End Confessional
Amethyst stood up and sat on a log adjacent to Larissa. "Would you like me to paint you a portrait?" Amethyst twirled her pencil. "I'd love to have a chat while I work on it."
"Ooh!" Larissa clapped her hands. "How delightful! I've been looking forward to having a chat with you."
Amethyst glided her pencil across her sketchbook. "Really?"
"Yes. I know socializing is not for everyone, and I'm glad you approached me with this first."
Amethyst took some notes on the side. "I thank you for respecting my boundaries."
"Boundaries are so important. If they are broken too early, your first impression on an individual is ruined."
"You know quite a bit about social interaction…"
"Well, I am a matchmaker."
"Ah, that makes so much sense." Amethyst took some more notes and found an interesting composition for her sketch. "So you came here for the drama?"
"Oh, no. I'm only here to spread the message of love as far as it can reach. If someone here wants me to match them with someone else, then I will be all for it. Only if someone asks though." Larissa paused for a moment, likely for Amethyst to ask another question, but a silence fell over the two of them. "So when did you start drawing?"
"I started when I was young. It's hard to pinpoint a specific time. I'm sure we all draw when we are younger, but not all of us truly stick with it forever."
"You must be very talented then. Years of work is nothing to scoff at."
Amethyst smiled.
The two girls continued to talk until the announcement for the challenge.
Confessional: Amethyst: The Majraa Guild
"Larissa continued to talk about love the whole time. It's not quite something that I believe I need in my life. However, Larissa was very gentle and kind while speaking to me. She's not someone that I immediately distrust."
End Confessional
On a trek in the woods, Declan, Braden, and Vivielle were attempting to figure out hunting but gave up and looked for berries instead.
"So…" Braden looked around nervously. "What happens when we lose the challenge today?"
Declan answered his question. "We go to the elimination ceremony and someone gets voted off."
Vivielle shrugged. "I hope that's all. It is our first challenge. There might be some cruel twist."
Braden twiddled his thumbs again. "And so who's gonna get voted out?"
Vivielle dropped a berry in her basket. "Majority vote."
"Yes, but who?"
Declan and Vivielle exchanged glances. "I really don't want to think about this when the challenge isn't even lost yet." Declan scratched the back of his neck.
"I…I just don't want to be eliminated too soon…" Braden hung his head.
Vivielle wrapped her arm around his shoulder. "I wouldn't vote you out! Not unless you were the reason we lost the challenge, and the rest of the guild was voting you out too."
"What?"
"How about this?" Declan approached the two. "How about we form an alliance? Three of us is plenty for a solid voting block, and I'm not too worried about winning the majority to ensure someone else goes home."
Vivielle leaned against a tree. "That's interesting. Most people would try for a fourth."
"I'm just a nice guy." Declan shrugged. "Wait, not like, one of those who feels entitled to girls. Just a kind dude."
Vivielle put her hand out. "I'm for this alliance, though. To… us?"
Declan nodded. "I'm cool with 'us' as an alliance name." He put his hand in.
Braden also put his hand in. "To us!"
Confessional: Declan: The Majraa Guild
"Two has worked in the past, but three might be stronger. So… Hell yes, Us!"
End Confessional
Confessional: Vivielle: The Majraa Guild
"My plan is already bearing fruit."
End Confessional
The Duels
Contestants: James, Vivian P, Lizzy, Evelyn, Cole
The scene switched back to Chris shuffling his deck of cards around the table. "Let the Duels begin!" Chris bridged the cards. "Welcome representatives from each guild! I see you saw the mail I sent out! Whether you shared that with your guild… is up to you! We have James for Sahra, Vivian Perez for Majraa, Lizzy and Evelyn for Kaniun, and Cole for Aljibal! This is a game mechanic that will appear in every other episode, which will almost always lead to a challenge, so," Chris chuckled, "I hope the opportunity to gain more coins was worth all the team fighting and possibly getting bankrupt."
Confessional: James: The Sahra Guild
"To me it's worth it, and I will have to tell my guild about what this is, so I will enjoy being the first one here."
End Confessional
Confessional: Vivian Perez: The Majraa Guild
"It would suck being in a guild where there wasn't enough trust to where we can't even truthfully say where we're going. I get the vibes that the other guilds might not be this tight, otherwise, why would Chris even mention it? Also, we totally misjudged what a 'Duel' is. We thought it would be physical, but it wouldn't be physical with Chris shuffling a deck of cards with a table! Oh, we should've sent Amethyst or even Declan for someone more well rounded."
End Confessional
Confessional: Lizzy and Evelyn: The Kaniun Guild
Lizzy started out the confessional. "Me and my new BFF have decided to do this together."
Evelyn smiled at the 'BFF.' "If one of us doesn't make it, we still have our alliance for now, and one of us could still get back to the guild. It's an advantage the others don't have."
Lizzy nodded. "This is good. We have the brains and the brawns for whatever goes on."
End Confessional
Confessional: Cole
Sly Ruse started out the confessional. "Argh, I see Viscount Chris arranged a duel of the conquering of coins. It was only I, Sly Ruse, who dared to seek the riches Chris will proclaim!"
End Confessional
"So what is a duel? I'm glad you asked!" Chris threw his arms up. "You will gamble with each other for your coins!"
Lizzy and Evelyn fist bumped. James nodded confidently. Vivian Perez sighed. Cole continued his pirate impression.
"But…" Chris continued. "The duels don't end until one contestant goes bankrupt, so the decision to show up here may cost you your game. Come to the duels at your own expense."
Confessional: James: The Sahra Guild
James sat with his arms crossed. "That's only the case if you lose."
End Confessional
Game Mechanic: The Duels
Rules: Every other episode, there will be a duel. At least one representative from each Guild must show up and at most two. During the duels, the contestants will gamble what coins they have in a bid to get more at the expense of their competition. The Duels do not end until one contestant goes bankrupt and is sent to the desert.
Chris continued. "This Duel will be simple. A classic game of War! Aces are high, played cards are discarded, and bets are made on each round!"
Duel: War
Rules: Contestants are given a fifth of a deck of cards. When the round begins, contestants will place one coin into the pot. They will look at the card on top and wager who will "win" the war. The contestant with the highest card will win what is in the pot.
If there is a tie, it will be handled in standard war fashion where contestants will deal out the next three cards in their deck. Best 2/3 wins the war.
The Ace is the highest number.
The Decks are not reshuffled. Cards played will be in a non-accessible discard pile.
Round One
Order: James, Sister Vivian, Lizzy, Evelyn, Cole
Everyone placed one coin into the pot and viewed their card. Everyone placed their card face down in front of them.
It was James' turn to decide whether to pass, fold, or raise. He knew what he had to do. He placed another coin in the pot.
Vivian's turn. With the Two of Spades in her hand, she folded.
Lizzy knew her card. She knew it well and raised to three coins.
Evelyn folded, not wanting to lose any more coins than one. She revealed a Four of Clubs.
Cole followed Evelyn, revealing his Four of Hearts.
The first hand passed, and it was down to James and Lizzy. Was he going to fold or was he going to call? He called, placing one more coin into the pot.
Chris gently pressed his airhorn. "The Round is over! Nine coins in the pot! James, Lizzy, please flip your cards over!"
James and Lizzy both had their hands on their cards, but neither of them broke eye contact…
…
…
…
James flipped over a King of Hearts.
Lizzy flipped over an Ace of Hearts.
Chris threw his arms up. "And Lizzy wins round one!"
Round Two
Order: Sister Vivian, Lizzy, Evelyn, Cole, James
Each contestant put one coin in the center of the table and looked at their next card in the deck. They placed their card face-down in front of them.
Vivian was to go first this time. She decided to pass.
Lizzy still felt confident in her chances, and she placed another coin into the pot.
Evelyn folded once more, revealing Two of Diamonds.
Cole decided to fall upon his chances and called on Lizzy's bet.
James decided to call as well.
Vivian, now knowing how the others feel about their chances, decided to fold, revealing a Four of Diamonds.
Chris tapped his airhorn. "This Round is now over! Seems like you guys are getting the hang of this now with only Vivian and Evelyn folding with a Four and Two respectively. Contestants, let's see who won this round!"
Lizzy, Cole, and James all placed their hands on top of their cards…
…
…
…
Lizzy flipped over the Seven of Clubs.
Cole flipped over the Jack of Diamonds.
James flipped over the Nine of Clubs.
"And Cole wins this Round 8 coins richer! Are we ready for the next round?"
Round Three
Order: Lizzy, Evelyn, Cole, James, Sister Vivian
Each contestant placed a coin in the pot to start the game. They looked at their cards and exchanged glances. Poker faces were all across the table.
Lizzy raised the pot to two coins for each player participating.
Evelyn decided to call, given her chances seemed much better this time around.
Cole folded his hand, revealing a Six of Clubs.
James called as well, having confidence.
Vivian P also called. One more coin was enough of a shot.
Chris tapped his airhorn once more. "And that ends this short round. It was nice that everyone was so decisive. Lizzy, Evelyn, James, and Vivian. You are the four that decided that your cards are worth continuing to call to. And you shall pay the price of your decision now! Reveal you cards campers."
Lizzy, Evelyn, James, and Vivian all placed their hands on their cards…
…
…
…
Lizzy revealed an Eight of Diamonds.
Evelyn revealed a King of Spades.
James revealed a Ten of Diamonds.
Vivian revealed a Jack of Spades.
"And Evelyn wins this round! It could still be anyone's game!"
Confessional: Lizzy and Evelyn: The Kaniun Guild
Lizzy facepalmed. Evelyn was comforting her. "Liz, you can't just keep trying to bluff!"
"I'm not! The pot was only raised to one more coin, so what if the others had Fives or Sixes! If you had a King, you could've raised!"
"You're right. I could've, but I'm not trying to be super risky right at the beginning of this game, and not war, I mean Total Drama. If we blunder too hard, we risk being deserted. That's not something I want for either of us, no matter how much we need more coins. It's not hard to be methodical about this either. The decks aren't reshuffled, so whatever remains is what we got. There are still plenty of high cards out there, and, more importantly, a Queen hasn't been played yet."
Lizzy paused. "Wait, you're telling me you were actually paying attention to these things."
"It's the strategy of this game. The more information you have about these things, the better off you will be."
End Confessional
Round Four
Order: Evelyn, Cole, James, Sister Vivian, Lizzy
Everyone placed a coin in the pot to start the game. They looked at their cards and placed them face-down in front of them.
Evelyn raised the pot to three coins, placing two more of her coins in.
Cole followed suit and raised the pot to six coins.
James called and placed five more of his coins down.
Vivian folded, revealing a Five of Hearts.
Lizzy also folded, revealing a Five of Spades.
Evelyn weighed her chances and called, placing three more coins into the pot.
Chris tapped his airhorn once more. "And that's it! Everyone has called or folded, which means it is time to reveal who will win this pot of 20 coins, and who just lost six whole coins."
The contestants placed their hands on their cards…
…
…
…
Evelyn revealed a Nine of Hearts.
Cole revealed a Five of Diamonds.
James revealed a Jack of Hearts.
Confessional: Cole: The Aljibal Guild
"Huh, I suppose I have woken up and chosen stupid."
End Confessional
"And the coins go to James! Congrats James, if you don't blow it, you may be the richest person in this game so far! Onto Round 5!"
Round Five
Order: Cole, James, Sister Vivian, Lizzy, Evelyn
Each contestant put a coin in the pot and their cards in front of them. They all knew the drill at this point, and all of them did not want to end up in the desert.
Cole raised the pot to two.
James folded his hand, revealing a Three of Hearts.
Vivian raised the pot to three coins.
Lizzy called.
Evelyn folded, revealing a Six of Hearts.
Cole folded, revealing a Nine of Spades.
Chris airhorn shrieked again. "And that's it! A faster game than the others, but still game! Let's see who the winner of these 10 coins will be!"
Lizzy and Vivian placed their hands on their cards…
…
…
…
Vivian revealed an Ace of Spades.
Lizzy revealed a Jack of Clubs.
Confessional: Lizzy and Evelyn: The Kaniun Guild
"Ugh." Lizzy placed her head in her hands. "I should've won that one!"
Evelyn continued comforting her. "Well, it's not like the Jack is the highest card in the deck, but hey, you don't have to be deceived by them again! There are no more in the deck!"
Lizzy took a deep breath. "And that's why I have you with me here."
End Confessional
Confessional: Cole: The Aljibal Guild
Cole refused to look directly into the camera. "Things aren't looking good for me. I'm down to four coins! Never to worry. I suppose I may just have to live as another mere vagabond once more."
End Confessional
Chris rubbed his hands together. "Are we ready for Round 6?"
Round Six
Order: James, Sister Vivian, Lizzy, Evelyn, Cole
Again, everyone placed their playing coin into the pot.
It was James to start, and he folded, revealing a Two of Clubs.
Vivian was next, and she passed.
Lizzy raised the pot to two, placing another coin in.
Evelyn placed two coins in the pot, raising it to three.
Cole folded, revealing a Four of Spades.
Vivian folded, revealing a Five of Clubs.
Lizzy called, placing one more coin into the pot.
Chris hit his airhorn. "And that's Round Six! The winner of this Round receives 9 coins! Contestants, you may reveal your cards."
Lizzy and Evelyn placed their hands on their cards…
…
…
…
Lizzy revealed a Seven of Diamonds.
Evelyn revealed a King of Clubs.
Chris nodded. "Let's keep moving to Round Seven, and according to our numbers, this may be the last round of this game!"
Confessional: Lizzy and Evelyn: The Kaniun Guild
Evelyn massaged her temples. "Lizzy, what the hell was that?"
"Look, I'm trying."
"Trying? We already established that bluffing probably won't work for a game like this, and that I am to raise it if I actually get a good card."
"Look, we're in the same guild. You can just give me my coins back after that round, and you can keep the one coin that everyone else gave you."
Evelyn thought for a second. "If you're the one Chris thinks will be sent out into the desert, then I'm not sure I can give you your coins then. You'll be way out in the desert, and, well, I can go out to find you, but that desert is huge, and I can't be away from camp for too long. As far as coins go, I can't help you, but our alliance might still be intact."
"Well, I guess there's that…" Lizzy perked up. "But there's also that hot guy out there!"
Evelyn thought. "Oh, he's still out there? I figured he'd be out by now. Hey, if you get out there and you come back, let me know what he's been up to all that time."
"Sure thing! Not that I plan on going back out there."
Lizzy and Evelyn fist bumped. "So what cards are still out there?"
"According to my calculations, there is one Two, three Threes, two Sixes, two Sevens, three Eights, one Nine, three Tens, four Queens, one King, and two Aces. There are still a lot of high cards out there, so maybe only bet a lot if you absolutely have to."
"Good deal."
End Confessional
Round Seven
Order: Sister Vivian, Lizzy, Evelyn, Cole, James
While everyone put their singular coin in the pot, Lizzy sighed. "All-in."
Chris opened a book. "In the event of an All-in, raises are no longer allowed and may only be followed up by calling or folding."
James placed his hand on the top of his deck. "But we haven't even seen our cards yet."
"No kidding," Lizzy leaned back in her chair. "I'm out of coins."
"So…" Vivian looked around, "we're done here?"
Chris shrugged. "I guess so! The round is over! The winner receives five coins! Contestants reveal your cards!"
Everyone dramatically flipped their cards over…
….
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Vivian revealed a Three of Clubs.
Lizzy revealed a Two of Hearts.
Evelyn revealed a King of Diamonds.
Cole revealed a Six of Diamonds.
James revealed a Ten of Spades.
"And Evelyn takes the final pot! Vivian, Evelyn, Cole, and James, you will follow this intern to the challenge location. Lizzy, you will not be participating in this week's challenge, and you have been stripped from your guild identity."
Confessional: Lizzy: Deserted
"A Two? A Two? It could have been any other card in the whole fucking deck! Where are all the fucking Queens in these decks? What the actual fuck is going on here?"
End Confessional
Confessional: James: The Sahra Guild
"I can't say I'm unhappy. I started with seventeen coins and came out with twenty-one. Four coins ain't bad."
End Confessional
Confessional: Vivian Perez: The Majraa Guild
"I can't say I've achieved much here. I started with the same amount of coins I ended with."
End Confessional
Confessional: Cole: The Aljibal Guild
"I am not so pleased with my performance, but I must move on. Perhaps the challenge will prove a much larger round of feats."
End Confessional
Confessional: Evelyn: The Kaniun Guild
"I started with nine coins and ended with seventeen, but at what cost? Hopefully, people from other teams sit out this challenge, but knowing Chris, that might not be the case."
End Confessional
Coin Totals:
James [17] → [21]
Evelyn [9] → [17]
Sister Vivian [15] → [15]
Cole [8] → [2]
Lizzy [6] → [0]
The Sarim Desert
Contestants: Allen, Lizzy
The intern guided Lizzy to the finish line of the desert exiles. Lizzy crossed the line and into the vast sand with sorrowful breezes.
Out in the near distance, a suspicious arrangement of rocks caught Lizzy's attention. She walked towards it hoping she would find exactly what she was looking for. She did not find a contestant, but she did find an establishment. A small fire with a carved rock as a small pot and somewhere relatively comfortable to sleep.
Allen was walking back. "Oh, a fellow competitor. Yassou dear!"
"Oh, hi." Lizzy leaned back against his settlement. "I hope you aren't opposed to sharing~"
"Oh, of course." Allen leaned against a long, sharp stick with some birds skewered into them.
"I just came back from catching dinner."
Lizzy shook her head. "It's midday."
"Oh," Allen eyebrows fell, "why that's relieving. I thought I had much less time. I haven't been able to find much since coming here." Allen only held out two coins to show the camera.
Lizzy sat by the fire, and Allen followed suit. "That's not good. We need to get out of here as soon as possible."
Allen de-feathered the bird, but this is also something the viewers do not see. "So how did you become bankrupt from the game?"
Lizzy shook her head. "Oh, it's nothing short of Chris' antics. He had this whole 'duel' set up where contestants gamble for more coins. I ended up losing everything. It's okay though because when I get back to my team, Evelyn will give me my coins back."
Allen looked out in the distance. "I wonder who's team I will be on when I get back."
Lizzy pushed her hair back. "I have no clue."
"Now that we're the first two contestants out here, perhaps we should stick together for the competition." Allen suggested
"That's going to be hard. This season is so unpredictable, it's frustrating."
"Whatever happens to us, my dear, we have each other's backs unless otherwise stated." Allen assured her.
Lizzy winked at Allen.
The Qatilat Canyon
"It's challenge time!" Chris announced as the guilds approached their appropriately colored team mats. The duel contestants had walked in with Chris. "In this season, challenges are something you do not want to end last or close to last." Chris folded his hands together. "Today's challenge will challenge your bodies as well as your minds. It will reveal the brains and brawns of each guild, and it will require communication from both sides." Chris rubbed his hands together as Chef chuckled. "Let's get into it."
Chef cleared his throat and stepped towards the guild colored mats. "Your challenge begins with the poles." He pointed across the maps to the pole, tangled in ropes. "Three contestants will work together to untie the poles from each rope. Each pole weighs around 50 pounds. After those poles are brought back from the landing, the rest of the contestants on the mat will work together to connect the poles. You know which poles go with which because the poles reveal a sentence, a riddle to be specific. Solve the riddle, and it will lead you to where your emeralds are located. Return your emerald back to Guild mat first or second, and you will be safe from *heh* *heh* *heh* consequences."
Wendy raised her hand and spoke without being called on. "So does somebody from Sahra gotta sit out or nothin?"
"Nothing!" Chris threw his hands up. He shrugged. "If you wanted to be in a guild with more people, you could've timed the way you crossed the finish line to where you landed on the first guild, FYI." He winked. "I did give you an hour to cross the finish line, after all!"
Confessional: Luna: The Sahra Guild
"I get where he's coming from. I mean, imagine the TV when everyone is waiting to be in the guild with guaranteed more people. It's a staring contest to cross the finish line."
End Confessional
Confessional: Winter: The Kaniun Guild
"Chris really called back to the desert there… I wonder if the desert has something to do with the reason why Sahra isn't sitting anyone out. It might also indicate that whoever goes to the desert might join one of our guilds. Interesting…"
End Confessional
Chris smiled. "You have a few minutes to plan before your challenge begins!"
Challenge: The Puzzle Rod
Rules: Contestants will gather rods that piece together to reveal a riddle. Solving the riddle will help the contestants locate where each emerald is located. Once the emerald is retrieved, the contestants must return the emeralds to Chris. Last guild to return will be headed to an elimination ceremony, and suffer other consequences.
Contestants Gathering the Poles:
Sahra: Kairo, Laurie, Selena
Majraa: Katniss, Sister Vivian, Declan
Kaniun: JT, Wendy, Evelyn
Aljibal: Rosa, Jeremy, Trevore
Contestants Remaining on the Mat:
Sahra: Eleanor, Hansel, James, Jianne, Luna
Majraa: Amethyst, Braden, Larissa, Vivielle
Kaniun: Drake, Tony, Winter
Aljibal: Christopher, Cole, Harry, Mason
Chris held his hands to his hip, and Chef held up a checkered flag dressed in a different costume than you were imagining before.
"Time is up contestants! In your places!"
The contestants who were to untie the poles stepped up to another line laid for them.
"Ready! And GO!" Chris blew his airhorn, and Chef waved the flag.
The twelve contestants rushed towards their poles.
Evelyn and Wendy, working together, loosened some of the knots, freeing the poles, and handing them to JT who sent the poles back and forth to his guild members, who surveyed the poles for the text written alongside them.
Katniss and Declan had a much easier time with the undoing of the knots. Sister Vivian pulled the poles free from the ropes and kept them in a pile to send to the guild all at once with the help of Katniss and Declan.
Over on Sahra, Selena immediately tried to pull the pole right out of the ropes. "Wow, no wonder they never try that on television."
"So we have a combination of square-lashing knots and constrictor knots." Kairo nodded. "I think the hybrid of the two will make this quite difficult," he pulled at a loose end of the rope, "but never impossible when I'm around!" Kairo instructed his partial guild on what to do while the camera panned.
Aljibal was the only guild that struggled. Rosa had her fingers deeply wedged within the ropes. "How do they even get this down here?"
"It seems like it starts through here." Jeremy tried putting his own hand in the mess. "I just can't seem to fit my hand."
"Here, let me!" Trevore stuck his hand down in the ropes and easily unraveled the ropes from one of the poles. "It's not hard when you have the sly of hand skills that I do!" Rosa and Trevore kept trying with the ropes while Jeremy ran the poles back to the rest of his guild.
Chris brought his megaphone out. "And Majraa completes the first leg of the challenge!"
The guild circled around their poles.
Vivielle read some of the poles. "'Needles', 'has many', 'sew?', 'What', ', but', 'doesn't'."
Amethyst shook her head. "This is foolishly easy."
Larissa nodded. "Foolishly easy indeed." The girls started to arrange the pieces together.
Chris' megaphone screeched once more. "And both Sahra and Kaniun have also got all their poles to the rest of their guild!"
"We have to hurry!" Rosa called to Jeremy and Trevore.
"Going as fast as I can, girl!" Trevore said while running ropes out of itself.
Kaniun circled around their own poles. "I got this, guys." Winter announced. "'What' has to go first because it's a sentence starter."
Tony moved the pole over. "After that it has to be either 'doesn't' or 'has many'."
JT stepped up to the poles. "I think I have an idea of which one goes next."
Sahra was experiencing a similar situation.
"I know 'has many' goes next." James said. "The 'doesn't' goes with ', but' later in the sentence."
"Which means 'needles' goes next, as the only noun." Vivian Locke said to the Majraa Guild.
The megaphone screeched. "Aljibal has gotten their poles to the rest of their guild!"
Jeremy and Rosa dropped their poles down with Trevore at their side.
Confessional: Rosa: The Aljibal Guild
"I really didn't think there would be so much heavy lifting in this season."
End Confessional
Mason looked at all the poles with the words faced up. "This will knot-knot be hard."
Jeremy shook his head. "You really weren't in the right place for that."
"I know, but I had to say it." Mason moved one of the poles. "I have an idea of how this goes though."
Harry nodded. "I see what you mean." He started to help Mason, but…
"No way!" Chris announced. "Kaniun has finished solving their riddle and went to their emeralds! Right as Sahra and Majraa finished putting their puzzles together! Aljibal has some real catching up to do!"
"Guys! We have to solve the puzzle! We have no time for jokes!" Rosa fiddled with the poles.
"Rosa!" Mason kept trying to solve the puzzle. "First of all, there's always time for jokes, especially during a challenge! Second of all, it's not like we've been doing nothing! I mean, sure, the challenge music is pretty loud, but we can still eavesdrop! See, 'doesn't' will go later with the ', but'. And it'll start with 'What' because that's a starter word!"
"These were things we already had laid down!"
"Yes! But, 'needles' goes here and 'sew?' is at the end because of the question mark."
"What has many needles, but doesn't sew?" Harry read the riddle out loud.
"A container full of needles!" Trevore reasoned. "Needles can't sew themselves!" Trevore said, pronouncing sew as sue. "Or maybe one of those apple things?"
Harry shook his head. "It wouldn't be something small. The riddle has to reveal a place."
"Oh, I got it!" Christopher clapped his hands. "It's a Christmas tree!"
Jeremy snapped his fingers in epiphany. "Maybe not a Christmas tree, but we did pass some Evergreens on the way here…" Jeremy pulled up the map and the Guild gathered around. "They must be located somewhere in this pine forest."
"I'd get going if I were you, Aljibal!" Chris approached the Guild. "According to our monitor, Sahra has already left with their emerald!"
"Then we better double time it!" Rosa ran off to the Evergreens.
Jeremy shrugged. "You heard the woman." He ran off himself.
Cole smirked. "Sly Ruse shall proclaim the treasure!" He said in his pirate voice. "ARRGH!"
The rest of the guild ran as well.
Chris pulled up his binoculars. "All the contestants have left the challenge area, but Sahra is coming back with an emerald in their hands. Kaniun is right on their tails with an emerald of their own. It's either guild's game to win," Chris' monitor beeped, "and Majraa has received their emerald as well! Does Aljibal still have what it takes to catch up? Well, we're about to find out!"
While the camera panned away from the guild mats, the interns placed pedestals on the center of the mats.
And the first guild to place their emerald on the pedestal was….
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The Sahra Guild.
"And Sahra finishes the first challenge first!" Chris announced.
"Woohoo!" They cheered as they celebrated their victory.
Confessional: Selena: The Sahra Guild
"Fuck yes we did! First challenge, first place! Aw yeah! And it can be thanks to me suggesting who to send to the poles." She winked to end the confessional.
End Confessional
Confessional: Hansel: The Sahra Guild
"I was skeptical if we would do well in this challenge, but it went by seamlessly. This is good. As Chris suggested earlier, we have a well balanced party, and hopefully it will stay that way."
End Confessional
Chris received another beep. "Oh what's this?... So, not all of Aljibal made it into the Evergreens, but Cole comes back bearing an emerald for the guild!" Chris turned to Chef. "I guess they're just gonna ask for the rest of the guild to turn back, huh?"
Chef shrugged. "It's a viable strategy to me."
"Great job, team." Kairo said to his guild. "And thank you for delegating us, Ms. Selena."
"The honor is all mine." Selena bowed. "Booyah."
"Kaniun!" Chris threw his arms up. "You are the second guild to complete the challenge."
Winter nodded. "That's not bad! Chef did warn everyone about placing anything less than second, so we should be glad."
JT shrugged. "I would've preferred first."
Evelyn sighed. "I'm with Winter on this one. I don't think we want what will happen to third or last, especially third, since last might only have the elimination ceremony to deal with."
"Oh, Chef," Chris laughed, "the contestants only think there's an elimination ceremony to worry about."
Chris and Chef exchanged evil laughs.
The rest of the contestants looked concerned for both the third placing guild and last placing guild, but also for the mental health of Chris and Chef.
Chris stopped. "Back to work." Chris looked out from his binoculars. "Ooh! This is juicy! Majraa is close, but Aljibal is gaining on them! And fast!"
"I wanna see!" Chef took the binoculars. "Man, they could catch up!"
"And the Guild in third place…"
Cole sprinted even faster.
Sister Vivian, who was carrying the emerald, ran at the forefront of the guild.
The winning guilds also watched intently on the monitors.
"...is…"
Rosa and Jeremy caught up to Cole. The rest of the guild turned around.
It could be anyone's game…
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"The Majraa Guild!" Chris lowered his binoculars.
The Majraa Guild wiped the sweat off of their foreheads.
Cole, Rosa, Jeremy, and the rest of the Aljibal Guild stood around panting. "Seriously?" Rosa panted.
"Seriously." Chris smiled. "You will be joining me at the Harq Muzayaf Bonfire Elimination Ceremony."
Sly Ruse spoke up. "One of us will fall."
Chris turned to the camera. "And now, it's time to announce another game mechanic."
Chef blasted confetti. "Tax time." He said with a grin. "If you think you can stay in this game with only one coin, think again. If your guild places third, you are under risk of paying the loser tax."
The contestants gasped.
"The winning guild will assign one person from the third placing guild for that tax. If that person can pay, then they are short a few coins. If they can't, they will pay up what they have and join the rest of the Desert Exiles in the Sarim Desert."
"So how much is this tax?" Tony asked.
"The amount will be how much the Desert Exiles need to get in the game. Today, it's eleven coins! Sahra, you have a minute to decide who will pay the tax."
Game Mechanic: Loser Tax
Rules: After every single challenge, the winning guild will nominate a player in the 3rd place guild to pay a "tax." That tax will be the number of coins the Desert Exiles have to collect to get back in the game. If the contestant can pay, good. If not, Chris will take the contestant's remaining coins and send them to be a Desert Exile themself.
The Sahra Guild huddled up immediately.
"Now," Jianne began, "don't mind me for already making up my mind, but I think that one girl who purchased a lot of things the other day should be the one to pay the loser tax."
James nodded. "That's effective for lessening the numbers that guild has. It makes ours more powerful."
Eleanor also nodded. "He's right. Unfortunately, Kaniun was right behind us the whole time, but if we took out a physical threat, such as the one Kaniun lost prior to the challenge, then it'll keep us in the lead."
Kairo also nodded. "I personally believe being more powerful is not necessary, but I will go with whatever the rest of you decide."
"And I agree with the others." Selena agreed with the others. "Let's see how this strategy plays out for now, but it might bite us in the butt if our guild gets too large."
"I don't think being too large is an issue." Luna put in. "I think that it'll help divide the work and keep us more energized."
"Then let's fucking do this!" Selena clapped her hands.
"Time is up!" Chris hit his stopwatch. "So, who will it be?"
"Her!" Jianne pointed at Katniss.
Chef held his hand out to Katniss.
Katniss individually counted eleven coins to Chef's hand.
Confessional: Laurie: The Sahra Guild
"I actually wasn't all for the plan. As much as I want to get as far as possible in this game, I also don't want to make too many enemies. I sure have a competitive guild, but we did win today's challenge, so I don't know if I can complain too much. I'm glad that girl had enough to pay the tax."
End Confessional
"Everyone except Sahra, you can return to your camps." Chris announced. "Sahra, I have one more game mechanic I will explain to you before you can head back to your camps as well."
The Aljibal Guild
Contestants: Christopher, Cole, Harry, Jeremy, Mason, Rosa, Trevore
Jeremy stirred some rice and beans on a sheet of rock.
The guild silently sat around their fire with cleaned flat rocks as plates.
Mason nodded. "So, how's the weather?"
"It's actually really cold!" Christopher shivered.
Harry nodded. "We could benefit from hunting an animal with fur, and using the hide as a blanket. It's gruesome, but it's worth a shot to try to adapt."
Sly Ruse spoke up again. "Not a problem for Sly Ruse!"
Confessional: Mason: The Aljibal Guild
"I really like Cole… not like that. But I like the idea of all of us having pirate names. They can work like codenames in the challenge too! Given we don't say our own too much." Mason sat in a thinking pose. "I have to remember to pitch it to the guild tomorrow." Mason nodded to himself.
End Confessional
Rosa thought for a second. "We could try to look through the old prison again."
Trevore rolled his eyes. "You mean, we can't make the fire bigger or give us mini fires in our shelters?"
Jeremy shook his head. "There might be something in Da Shoppe for our situation too. I think all biomes have their downsides. We might just have a few uncomfortable nights."
"Speaking of uncomfortable nights," an unknown voice echoed behind a rock. The Guild squinted past the fog.
Hansel emerged.
Cole spoke up. "Ah, you're from the winning guild! Congratulations!"
"Thank you." Hansel scratched the back of his neck. "And I'm sorry for your loss. I'm Hansel."
The rest of them exchanged pleasantries and Cole introduced the guild to Hansel. Cole also invited Hansel to sit with them at the fire.
"What brings you here?" Harry asked.
Hansel sighed. "It's a game mechanic. The winning guild will send one member to the losing guild's campsite to 'loot' them."
"Looting?" Christopher questioned.
"Loot!" Sly Ruse came to save Christopher's confusion. "Like me treasure chest!"
Rosa shook her head. "We're already suffering enough as it is!"
Harry sighed. "Chris did mention that we really did not want to place last."
Hansel rubbed his hands by the fire. "The good news is that we can't take any luxuries or game advantages, so you could just re-purchase whatever we take, unless it's miscellaneous."
"I like good news." Mason patted Hansel's back. "Next time, let's start with that."
"I wouldn't have made any sense if I did that."
Mason nodded. "I also like it when things don't make any sense."
Hansel looked at the sky. "Well, it's getting dark, and I'm actually glad you guys already have your food cooking."
Rosa gasped. "You're taking our food!"
"We're only limited to one item, so I'm taking your bag of beans." Hansel picked up the bag. "Good luck at the elimination and the next challenge."
"Thank you." Jeremy went up to shake his hand. "It was nice meeting you."
Confessional: Rosa: The Aljibal Guild
"He was really nice about it, so I can't really be mad. It sucks that we weren't warned about this beforehand. The other guilds apparently got mail about what was happening since Chris mentioned it to everyone. It just isn't fair." Rosa sighed. "We cannot lose the next challenge. We can technically win some more food."
End Confessional
Confessional: Hansel: The Sahra Guild
"Something I noticed when looking around this guild's campsite… they don't have any pots! Do they cook in their buckets? Whatever the case is, it seems they are lacking in a lot of categories. It must've been why they lost. Hopefully, it stays that way."
End Confessional
Game Mechanic: Looting
Rule: A member from the winning guild will be sent to the losing guild to collect either a survival item, a food item, or a miscellaneous item. Game advantages and luxuries are not allowed to be touched as far as game-looting goes
Rosa had her hair down and brushed her hair while gazing in her reflection in a frozen lake.
Mason approached her from behind. "Hey! I hope I'm not too late."
"Too late for what?"
"The elimination ceremony!" Mason held out jazz hands, but Rosa had ignored the joke entirely. "Okay, I guess you have no funny bone. Way to poop the hoop!"
"It's not that I have no funny bone. It's that I believe there is a time and a place to make a proper joke land."
"And that moment is always!" Mason threw his hands up, but put a hand out in front of him. "You know what, I'm not going to fight you on this because it seems like it's a waste of time, and the ceremony is starting soon."
"You want to ask me for who I'm voting for?"
"Oh no, you have this all messed up. I want to ask you for an alliance!"
"Why? Because you think this is funny! Because you think we would be the biggest joke alliance!"
"No." Mason's violet eyes twinkled. "I just think we're already voting for the same person."
Rosa sighed. "I'm not one to reject an alliance, but I have no other reason not to say no."
"So it's a yes?"
"It's a maybe. We'll see how the votes fall."
Confessional: Rosa: The Aljibal Guild
"I'm hesitant to work with him, not just because he's Mason, but because he was supporting what bullshit Trevore was saying with the shelters. Just because of that, I think that Mason is double dipping in alliances for his own benefit. That, or he just thinks this is all funny. Either way, clearly not someone to blindly place trust in."
End Confessional
Harq Muzayaf Bonfire Elimination Ceremony
Contestants: Christopher, Cole, Harry, Jeremy, Mason, Rosa, Trevore
"The Guild of Aljibal! Welcome to the first elimination ceremony of the season! How are you all feeling tonight?"
"Well," Mason started, "the weather is definitely better down here than it is up on the mountain."
Chef chuckled at Mason's joke. "The kid's quick."
"What about you, Cole? And what about you, Sly Ruse?"
"Aargh," Cole humored, "Cole Daniels is Sly Ruse." He stopped the pirate voice. "It is merely an act for entertainment and for embracing the true themes of the season. For this elimination ceremony, I am quite saddened that it had to be us, but it will be interesting to see how our ceremony will affect the game."
Chris shrugged. "I can't argue about pursuing the themes. So you think you're safe?"
"Potentially. This game isn't all physical poweress."
"We shall see about that!" Chris gazed among the contestants. "Trevore."
"Yes, Chris?"
"You have become the leader of this guild?"
"I am a leader of sorts." Trevore nodded.
"Would you say this loss is on your hands as leader?"
"I wouldn't because I think that I performed great today! In fact, everyone did great, it's just that the other gills did better than we did. There were a few of us who didn't really know what we were doing, and the other gills did. It's okay because I think that we can do better in another challenge better suited to our strengths. It's the challenge's fault we lost the challenge. The rest of us are great players, and we're a great gill!"
"Rosa," Chris called upon the sole female of the guild, "what do you think about what Trevore just said?"
"I disagree with him. First of all, if we really had performed all that well, we would not be in last. Sure, the other guilds were better than us, but that was because they had the right people at the right spots. We made a judgment that Jeremy, Trevore, and I would be the best for the pole section, and only Trevore seemed to know what he was doing. The other guilds may have had two people or all three of the members working on those knots. I believe that is what slowed us down and cost us the challenge. We were faster than Majraa. We completed the puzzle faster than anyone. I think merely saying that we lost the challenge due to the challenge itself is just immature."
Trevore gasped. "I stand by what I said!"
Mason shrugged. "I will stand by it as well. It's controversial, but I think the way to life is positivity and good humor. Sure, we fumbled the ball, but the ball can curve on the way down."
Christopher thought. "I agree with everyone!"
"Go on, Christopher." Chris allowed Christopher to continue.
"Well, I think that we didn't get a challenge suited to our needs, and that maybe it could've been our faults, but that doesn't mean we have to beat ourselves up about it!"
"Interesting opinions," Chris commented. "Harry, what are your thoughts tonight?"
"Well, Chris… the first elimination is never ideal. Especially since we all have had such little time together. This is a situation that will be hard to judge, and it's a situation that will stick to you for the rest of the game. I know what strategy I'm playing with from before we even got here. I'm sticking to what I decided no matter what happens here tonight."
"Jeremy, you have been awfully quiet tonight." Chris mentioned.
"I'm listening. It's one of my greatest strengths."
"I'm sure you are very complimented for it."
"I suppose. I more so use my listening skill in deduction. I'm trying to process how this vote will go. I have an idea so far."
"What do you think?"
"I choose not to share. Simply, because I believe that I'm right, but, as Harry suggested, we have only had a few nights together. However, I believe whatever decision we come to as a guild will benefit us."
Chris hit his stopwatch. "And with that, let us get one with the votes!"
Christopher was first to the voting booth.
Confessional: Christopher: The Aljibal Guild
"I'm voting for you because you were being mean to one of my other teammates. It's not always about intentions."
End Confessional
Next was Cole…
And then it was Harry.
Confessional: Harry: The Aljibal Guild
"Jeremy isn't the only one who knows how to listen. I think I also have an idea of how this will play out. Luckily, I'm prepared."
End Confessional
After it was Jeremy…
And then it was Rosa…
Next was Mason…
Finally, Trevore was last.
Confessional: Trevore: The Aljibal Guild
"I think that we all are great, and that you are the least great!"
End Confessional
Chris returned with a platter of pouches. "The votes have been tallied. This season, to represent safety, you will be given a small token of help." Chris held up one of the pouches. "Everyone will get one coin for attending. Every vote cast against you gives you one more coin to your pouch. Use your coins wisely to ensure that you don't come back here again."
Game Mechanic: The Elimination Ceremony Coins
Rules: If you are headed to the elimination ceremony, Chris will grant you one coin for attending, symbolizing your safety for the night. Every vote cast against you gives you one more coin to the pouch. The contestant eliminated will not be receiving any coins. No coins for safety nor the coins for the votes against them.
The coins given in these ceremonies are valid coins that can be used to purchase goods in Da Shoppe.
Chris continued. "Now, if anyone has any game advantages and would like to use them, now would be the time to play them."
Chris waited.
Harry looked towards Cole.
Cole realized what was happening and stood up. "I would not like to play my mystery box!" He bowed.
Chris nodded. "With that being said. I will now announce who is safe…
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… Cole." Cole grabbed his pouch.
"Our next pouch goes to…
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…Rosa…
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… Jeremy, you get the third pouch…
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… Christopher, you are also safe…
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… Mason, you get the second to last pouch! Harry, Trevore, this is the last pouch, and it goes to…
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… Whoever can win this tiebreaker!"
Trevore gasped, but Harry smirked.
Confessional: Harry: The Aljibal Guild
"I had a feeling I would get involved in a tiebreaker. Luckily, I've witnessed watching a first tie-breaker episode of the Renaissance. In typical Renaissance tradition, the first tiebreaker is always a-"
End Confessional
"Staring Contest!" Chris threw his arms up.
Harry and Trevore sat on their logs. Eye to eye. Neither one of them daring to break eye contact or blinking.
Harry leaned in. "I refuse to give in."
"I'm not giving in either! I am actually the best at staring contests!" Trevore gloated.
The contest went on for a few minutes…
…until finally…
… one of the contestants flinched…
…and it was…
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"Trevore. You have flinched." Chris announced.
"I did not!" Trevore kept his eyes on Harry. Harry broke contact at that announcement and went up to fetch his pouch. Trevore turned to his guild. "I thought we were friends, but you all voted for me!"
"Actually," Harry spoke up, "it was a tie. Four people here did not vote for you."
"Yeah," Christopher said, "I didn't vote for you! We can still be friends!"
"Well then," Trevore crossed his arms, "we can be friends. But I will be watching after the season comes out to see which of you guys betrayed me!"
Confessional: Cole: The Aljibal Guild
"I thought I was the dramatic one."
End Confessional
"Trevore! Welcome to another Game Mechanic!"
Trevore put his hands on his head. "All these Game Mechanics are making my head spin!"
"Don't worry," Chris smiled, "this one is an easy one! I call it, The Will!"
Game Mechanic: The Will
Rules: The Contestant who is leaving the competition through Vote Out Elimination must will their remaining coins to one of their fellow competitors. They get to pick any contestant that is still in the game.
Chris smiled. "Simple, no?"
Trevore tapped a finger to his chin. "Then I will my coins to Christopher!" Trevore handed Christopher his coin pouch. "I wish you luck, friend."
"Trevore, you must now go through the Ride of Shame!"
"The Ride of Shame?" Chef asked.
Chris elbowed Chef. "You know it was a last minute decision from the producers!" Chris looked into the camera. "And that is a wrap on Episode 2! Will Aljibal find itself another loss now that Trevore is gone? Will the contestants be able to survive in their harsh terrains? Will the producers continue to make last minute decisions? Find out next time on Total!
Drama!
Qatilat!"
*Final Confessional: Trevore
"I don't know what my gill was thinking, voting out me, the winningerist winner of all the winners that have ever won! It's the game's fault I lost, not me! I did everything! I untied all the knots, and I was the only one who could do it! So yeah, they needed me, and they decided to vote me out! For the three of them that voted for me, they will regret it! I know they will!"
End Confessional*
Trevore willed away his [3] coins to Christopher [5] → [9].
Cole [2] → [3]
Harry [11] → [15]
Jeremy [9] → [10]
Mason [8] → [10]
Rosa [10] → [11]
29/30 Remaining. 2 Deserted.
The Votes:
Christopher voted for… Mason
Cole voted for… Trevore
Harry voted for… Trevore
Jeremy voted for… Trevore
Mason voted for… Harry
Rosa voted for… Harry
Trevore voted for… Harry
Camp Items:
The Sahra Guild: Dried Meat, A Bag of Rice, Salt and Pepper, 20 Sticks, 1 Pot, Tarp, 3 Buckets, First Aid Kit, The Sponge, A Bag of Beans
The Majraa Guild: Rice, Bow and Arrows, Flint and Steel, Rope, 1 Pot, Large Knife
The Kaniun Guild: 1 Pot, Self-Purifying Water Bottles*, Flint and Steel, A Bag of Beans, Dried Meat, Bear Traps, Pillows and Blankets*
The Aljibal Guild: Flint and Steel, Large Knife, A Bag of Rice, A Compass, Duct Tape, 3 Buckets
*items contestants are not allowed to loot
AN: omg
Trevore: I remember the day, three years ago, when I opened Trevore's interview. I could not stop laughing, and I instantly knew I had to accept him. It's a shame that he had to go this early, but to be brutally honest, there is no one like someone labeled 'The Loser' to be sent home first. I really hope I was able to give him the depth that his character actually has in the short amount of time he was able to grace our screens and imaginations. Trevore, you will be missed… by me. I had so much fun writing him and I hope I made him as funny as he was when I first read him, I honestly don't think I did, but not all of us have the funny bone within us.
Having studied his actions in this game Trevore receives the status: Neutral
Why? As much as he was annoying to his guild members, he did not do anything outwardly villainous nor was he ever outwardly heroic. He is actually not all a bad person if you look at him a certain way, he's just very… Trevore.
Best Moment: There are quite a few to pick from. I'm going to go with his interaction with Larissa back in the Desert set-up. I thought it was a clever way to portray Trevore as self-absorbed, and someone else reacting in a neutral way. And it was quite humorous.
Lizzy is in the Desert now. Can she make it out before her time runs up? Also, why is Allen still in the desert after all this time?
Anyways, updates will begin to slow down as school starts up. I can't really predict when I'm going to write again, but I do know that I will if I get any free-time.
EN: Ah, Trevore, the winningerest winner to ever lose right away. I'm not sure what I can say about him other than that all the times he says the wrong words is a thing we did on purpose because that's just a thing he does. I definitely agree with the Neutral status because, well, it's a little too early for anything else tbh. As for his best moment, I'm going to go with his talk with Jeremy at the beginning of this episode, entirely because his willingness to do stuff Jeremy's way for the shelter in this scene effectively makes his last conversation with Jeremy in episode 1 not only a complete waste of the guild's time, but it's also actively added to the Aljibal Guild's discomfort, and I think as a whole it's just a prime example of Trevore effing something up despite an obviously better solution to a problem existing.
And that's about all I've got. I think those are the last game mechanics for a while, by the way. DO NOT QUOTE ME ON IT.
AN2: … join our discord server! I am usually active there, and I can give updates on me because they are lovely. The link in on my profile!
AN3: And, as always, thank you for reading!