Survivor - Heroes vs Villains

Chapter 5 - Day 4

Hey there, everybody!

So after Isabelle's unfortunate exit, the Villains now take the lead over the Heroes, with Sonic now being the only remaining winner in the game.

It's gonna be a real bummer for the Heroes since they are gonna feel sorry for her, and Golden and to a lesser extent DK, are gonna feel the most guilty.

Other than that, this is just gonna cover day 4. No challenges nor Tribal Councils, so perhaps at most we'll get more strategy, camp life, and character development going on.

~KF

EPISODE II: Guilty by Association

Heroes

Night 3

Mario, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Zelda, Meta Knight, Sonic, Vector, Shovel Knight, Golden

-/-

The Tribal Council ritual was now finished, with Isabelle being the sacrificial lamb needed in order for the Heroes to return to their shelter.

...And mother nature seemed to be in the preparation process for an upcoming storm with the thunder beginning to roar.

Yoshi, Vector, Mario, Golden, Donkey Kong, Shovel Knight, Sonic, Zelda, and Meta Knight all leaned their torches against a nearby tree.

"I don't wanna go to Tribal Council anymore. Not until we get the merge." Yoshi was the first to speak. "Isabelle being voted out was just too heartbreaking for me. I mean,... she literally won and now she's the first out? ...How cruel is that!?"

"Very upsetting to see her go like that." Shovel Knight was in agreement. "First woman to win Survivor, played a part of half her tribe reaching final tribal, hat an interesting strategy to win... Being the first All Star voted out this season sounds rather depressing... I can not imagine how Golden is feeling, though..."

"Well I'm not gonna lie. ...I'm very upset that I had to do that. This is actually the very first time I went against her counting both our seasons." The golden bear sat in the shelter. "Sure, I voted for Funky Kong to win even though I put his name down at my elimination round, but as far me and Iz going after each other, we never had to do that. So of course from a moral perspective,... I feel absolutely terrible."

He brought a hand to his face thinking of it all, drops of rain beginning to fall.

"No point in trying to make a fire, right?" Meta Knight asked the tribe.

"No reason to..." Vector shook his head.

Donkey Kong stared at Golden with folded arms. He knew he needed to make it a mission to check in on his friend. Poor guy.

"Golden is feeling a little down for obvious reasons. Now for me personally, I don't know what it's like to write off one of my friends. I know part of him died inside when he had to write Isabelle's name down. I mean, they weren't just close allies in the game on their season. They made an actual friendship in the game, which then lead to outside Survivor. Now that they were both brought back, not even three days in and Golden already had to do what he wished he hadn't."

Sonic and Mario both stood by each other on the far side of the shelter, the two of them being disappointed with the voting result for completely different reasons.

"That obviously didn't go well at all..." The hedgehog shook his head bringing a hand to his face. "That's it... Now we're both going home right after her. ...Mario, you know you don't have to be suffering with me on this..."

"Well, I voted with you two because I figured DK and Golden were voting with us, and that they had Meta Knight." He explained. "I felt like it was in my best interest to vote the way I did, since I feel like I'm a target myself out here because of how things went for us in Kodai Island. But things just didn't work out, I suppose..."

"I guess those are legitimate reasons." Sonic felt they were justifiable enough. "But now, you know that we're both on the bottom of this tribe, just like how we were both the last two members of the Sumasshu tribe in our season."

He heaved a great sigh at that. "Great. More memories of Kodai Island. The only thing that can happen at this point is if Bowser switches places with one of our teammates."

"And even Donkey Kong is against us, man..." His hand briefly pointed in the direction the ape was. "Not like that I'm mad at him, but... man... We're in a really awful spot right now..."

No kidding. If one of their closest allies was against the two of them, things were really taking a turn for the worst, and Donkey Kong himself knew that as he earned himself a second confessional in a row.

"Because of Isabelle being out of the game, Mario and Sonic are now in jeopardy, with me being on the opposite side of the fence. I'm already feeling like the bad guy here and they're not even voted off... But it's the fact that I'm screwing their games up just to save myself because it's Survivor. I guess stuff like this goes to show that even though you've made real friendships in Survivor, when we all go back to play again in another season, past relationships can haunt you. You feel terrible for harming your friends' games, but even we gotta remind ourselves what game we're playing here. I'd be a fool if I didn't understand that (especially knowing me of all people), but it doesn't mean that I'm gonna be happy about it... I'd say you have no heart if you don't feel at least a bit guilty about it all."

Before Funky's cousin hit the hay, he made sure he had at least a quick talk with Golden, the two of them finding enough time to talk alone by the flag.

"That took everything in me to do that, man..." The bear exchanged a friendly hug with him. "Poor girl couldn't even make it past last place... I guess sooner or later you're gonna know what I'm feeling like right now..."

"Maybe, maybe not... depending on how we do in these next few challenges." Donkey Kong shrugged his shoulders. "But I feel bad just by the two of them being on the bottom by themselves. I get it. The three of us were closely aligned together in Kodai Island, so it was probably bound to happen, but we aren't even on day four yet and I already had to make a tough call."

"I think Meta Knight knew what he was doing." Golden figured. "He knew exactly what he was doing. I think he has just put himself in an interesting position, so good gameplay on his end..."

"Well, he probably saw himself on the bottom if he did actually vote with us, Goldie." Donkey Kong presumed. "He made up his mind and decided to vote against Isabelle. He told us who he wanted to vote for, and we had no choice but to vote his way, unless we all wanted to draw rocks. And even though those three are our friends, we're not drawing rocks for people that have won the game before."

"Likewise." The FNAF character went silent to stare off for a second. "You know, the good thing is that we're in the majority together. We have no reason to turn on each other and we're obviously on the same path. We need to make a plan."

"Agreed... Um,..." He used his right hand to scratch the top of his head. "I suggest we both talk to Meta Knight tomorrow, see where his head is. And as far as Mario and Sonic are concerned, literally the only way to save them is if we win the next challenge. Other than that, we'll just... stick with the majority, I guess..."

"Me, DK, and Meta were all swing votes together, but it was mainly Meta that had to make the decision. He strategically voted Isabelle for his own reasons. It was probably smart for him to do that due to him probably not having much to gain if he sided with us. At the same time though, we probably still need him if me and DK want more numbers for our own games. He strategized with the two of us the most, and now that we're in the majority together, we would probably need each other even more, despite him killing off my friend... I'd love to have revenge for Isabelle, but I've gotta play with my head out here."

Villains

Day 4

Bowser, Sheik, Wolf, Ridley, Shadow, Ryu, Specter Knight, Plague Knight, Foxy, Springtrap

-/-

Though the castaways were not exactly allowed to ask production of what time it was anymore, it appeared to be about seven in the morning with the sun coming up. Following the success of the previous day, the Villains had less stress to deal with. And all ten of them were rather happy about that, knowing none of them had to deal with the consequences of being the first boot on All Stars.

That alone was another sign of motivation to win season five.

Even though a few castaways were still sleeping, Foxy and Sheik were seen together at the camp fire. The two of them used their flint to get it going for their tribe.

"It's gonna be a bit before the rest of them wake up." The pirate fox told the ninja. "We'll go fetch water and get our routine started for the day... Maybe we'll let Bowser sleep in for a little bit longer. The turtle's over there sleeping like a baby because he won his first tribal challenge."

Sheik giggled in reaction. "I was really happy for him. I can't imagine what it's like losing every challenge in the pre-merge and attend every tribal. And as for the two of us, we won our first challenge two seasons in a row."

"Because we both know that teamwork is everything." Foxy replied on the other side of the fire. "It was one of our main things back on the Knights tribe. Sure, everyone's out here to backstab each other, but right now we need to get our priorities straight. There shouldn't be any reason for anyone to do anything crazy. There's another tribe we gotta deal with and we need to keep winning challenges."

"Well we might have people on here that could think a little differently, but tribe unity is something I suppose we both agree on." Sheik leaned her head in a little. "Wouldn't you say?"

"...Can't say you're wrong." Foxy smirked back at her. "You and Greninja didn't like having divided tribes, either. ...But I am with you regarding people thinking a certain way around here. People are gonna get rather comfortable to the point where it's really gonna turn into a bloodbath. We just gotta make sure we stay on the right side. For now though, we'll need to stick together for as long as we can... including the two of us."

Sheik's smile grew a bit larger. "Yeah, I think that would be beneficial."

"Foxy and I started on the same tribe together in our season. But then by the time the merge hit, the two of us were suddenly on different paths where we both ended up fighting against each other. Foxy was leading his alliance and I was leading mine. But I was never actually thinking of going after Foxy. He made a move against me first, but I guess he figured that at same point he was going to be on the bottom of the Knights Tribe Alliance, so he tried to make a flashy move in order for him to be at the top. And for a little while, his alliance did end up having the majority, only for my alliance to have the upper hand for the rest of the game until I got voted off. But strategically, we actually kinda both think the same. Add in the fact that we know each other,... why not take advantage of that? Something tells me that we probably need each other."

"I think past relationships are gonna be one of the main things discussed in this season." Foxy Michaels presumed. "This is All Stars and everybody knows everybody, but due to our history with us having problems with one another, the two of us put together aren't really as threatening as say... Plague and Specter, or Bowser and Wolf."

"More like on Ryu and Specter's level. I get it." She knew where he was going. "Plague and Specter should be the main relationship everyone should be concerned about right now, so we should hopefully be fine, unless the entire tribe is planning on blindsiding us."

"It wouldn't make sense for one of us be the first boot of the tribe, so hopefully we could both have something going. Otherwise, worst case scenario, we're against each other again."

"Well if you're planning on blindsiding me in the future, at least this time I would see it coming, since I know your game, now." Sheik leaned in even more, trying to sound rather threatening near the end of her statement.

But Foxy was not afraid of her back then, right? Why did he have to be afraid of her this season?

"Likewise." He responded. "I know you more than seventy-five percent of this cast. ...But I guess this time we both know what to expect."

"Haha, and for that, it's actually a pretty good reason for the two of us to at least work with each other on the low."

"We had no problem with each other personally, but strategically,... me and Sheik hated each other! I mean, Sheik had an obvious alliance going for her back on the old Knights tribe, and I didn't know how in any way I would have been included in her final plans, which was why I did what I did." Val's partner-in-crime laughed sitting on the sand. "Though after everything went down, believe it or not, we both think a similar way. She likes my way of thinking and I like hers. People think our season was the best because of all the game-savviness that went on, and me and Sheik were two of the main players people were looking at. We both know that the two of us need to be careful because of our relationship, but I don't think it's a bad move if the two of us at least think about each other, let alone be good allies."

A bit later when everybody else was up and about, majority of the red team found themselves to be occupied by either camp maintenance or the water. Regarding the latter, Sheik was seen tanning with Ryu meditating nearby, and Foxy and Springtrap were soaking, Specter Knight, Wolf, and Plague Knight were both seen rinsing clothes, with Plague's face being completely exposed to the public on a rare occasion. However, just to break the fourth wall for a moment, the appearance of his face was up to the readers to guess.

...But even after all that, Specter Knight still had his helmet on for some reason.

As for the camp maintenance, Bowser and Ridley were in the woods, the giant purple dragon cutting down a tree for some more wood with Bowser standing close.

"What's Shadow up to?" Koopa asked out of curiosity. "Do you know?"

"I haven't been thinking about him that much so far today." Ridley answered, watching the large tree crash down hard on the ground. "Are you... thinking about going in the water with most of the others? The temperature is already going up out here and I'd need to cool off at some point."

Clearly he was not going to just 'play in the water' like a little child, or else it would have been completely out of character for Ridley.

"...How did you sleep by the way?"

"Perfectly." The Dark Lands creature breathed out grinning from ear to ear. "I'm still... I'm still in shock! ...Weren't we supposed to go tribal yesterday? Ain't this supposed to be the part where I get mad that my game is already getting screwed up?"

"Haha, I slept fine myself. It is a new feeling knowing that my team has won the first challenge."

"I can't believe I didn't have to go to Tribal Council." It was such a good mood for Bowser to be in. "I've been to every damn one until I got voted off, and it took for me to be on a brand new season for me to get a break. I... I don't even know what Tribal Council looks like and I ain't complaining! Mario and those other folks are probably already panicking that they had to vote somebody off while I'm still on vacation over here... And you know what? I deserve it, especially all the hell I've been through on Kodai Island."

All the hell he went through? Supposedly the world was against Bowser, then.

"Hey, speaking of Shad,... have you been hearing much from him at all?"

"Hmm..." Picking up the big log, the Caribbean player had to stop and actually think for a minute. "You know, now that I think about it,... I don't think I've shared too many words with him. ...At times I forget he's even here."

"Hahaha!" That caused a laugh from Bowser. "He's still struggling to socially adapt out here. And that's coming from me of all people."

"You think so?" Even Ridley formed a smirk. "In my personal opinion, I feel like I am the one that is the least likely to have any sort of social ability out here, based off my strategy from my season. You had crucial allies while I literally ignored the entire aspect of the social game,... which was known to be my fatal flaw as to why I underperformed."

Bowser watched as the Metroid villain sighed.

"Even having a couple of conversations with others just to remain on peoples' social radar takes quite a bit of my energy. If this was not for a million dollars, I'd be making sure I am alone for as much as possible."

"I do feel like that at times." Bowser admitted. "Yet back on my season when I first started out, I unfortunately had to realize I need to have some kind of allies by my side pretty quickly. I tried making an alliance to get rid of Mario early on. It didn't work out, yet at least I was aware that this whole social game does exist... Everyone should already know that you can't play this game by yourself. People can make alliances fast."

Ridley sighed again. "That, I have learned the hard way... I obviously have you as an ally that I can count on. And I am honestly trying to have some strategy talk with some of the others, but... I really do not know who is mostly interested in working with me. However, I do see an option for the both of us."

"Who?"

"The martial artist that meditates all the time."

Said martial artist was seen himself still doing just that.

"Ryu?" Bowser popped an eyebrow. "...Explain."

"Aside from us two, he is probably the strongest physically. See, I pay attention to certain things in Survivor in detail, and remembering the post-merge phase in Survivor - Mexico, Ryu was quite consistent in the individual immunity challenges. He was always performing rather well and would have locked himself a single digit placement in his season had he won that challenge against Specter Knight when they were gunning for each other to get the boot."

"So it's like the strongest of this tribe needs to stick together..."

He nodded at Bowser's conclusion. "That is basically what I am saying. I do not know if Ryu managed to make any alliances up to this point, so if we make this pitch to him, hopefully he would agree to it. The strongest of the strong are going to be targeted one after the other at some point. And you and I both know it played a crucial part to us being eliminated in our previous seasons."

"I don't know how much I have going for me as far as alliances are concerned right now aside from Bowser. But I do know that the two of us are the strongest of the tribe. Anyone who does not see that are clearly delusional. Most likely the strongest of the tribe are going to be targeted around merge time or right before the merge, so I feel that having Ryu as a possible number would be beneficial to Bowser and I. Bottom line is that whatever plans I could make to last as long as possible, I'm going to do whatever it takes. I sort of feel embarrassed knowing I placed the lowest of this entire cast. However, as the slogan states, 'Return, Revenge, Redemption.'"

By the time Ridley did make his way to the beach, he was lucky enough that no one else around them cared about the conversation he was having with Ryu. Maybe with his meditation pose, it led people to feel that it was nothing too serious.

Boy, were they wrong...

"You might have been on something in your season." His voice being just a little over a whisper. "Maybe Specter had his justifiable reasons for turning on you, but perhaps the strongest of the strong should have stuck with you. Us big, physical players, what are our chances of winning Survivor? ...Slim to none."

"And you've been talking with Bowser." Ryu's head shifted his way opening both of his eyes.

"He's all over it, you are the only other person that knows about this plan." Ridley confirmed. "Now, I honestly don't feel like any of us have to worry about actually being voted off for a little while, but if you're going to be on board, we need to keep this alliance subtle. If one of us is on the chopping block, things aren't going to be good for any of our games. We can even recruit people who are just as physical on the other side."

"The Heroes?"

No, the potatoes. Yes, the Heroes...

"Correct." Right. "Maybe this time, you might actually get your justice. Even if the rest of us are voted off, if you end up going to the end, you have an automatic increased chance of getting my jury vote."

"Haha, seriously?" The street fighter grinned jokingly. "You're gonna vote for me at the end..."

"Well obviously it can not be based off your physical ability alone." Ridley shook his head to avoid a misunderstanding. "It has to be based off your gameplay this season, as well as your competition at the Final Tribal Council. Yet considering your story and gameplay from your past season, you should consider that to be an advantage when it comes to you earning my vote."

"..."

Sitting still in the forest, Ryu Hoshi was seen blowing air out of his mouth in his confessional. He seemed to be rather nervous of the thoughts entering his mind at the time. He was really thinking about what Ridley said. "Oh man... I... I was really trying to avoid this if anything. Okay, so in my past season, everyone was aware of what my strategy was: trying to keep all the huge, physical players together for as long as possible. Strong Guys Alliance."

#StrongGuysAlliance

"I created it so that we all had the advantage and so that I increased my chances of having great longevity in the game... And... it all backfired right in my face and I ended up getting voted off. I even sacrificed my own tribe allies just to satisfy my own selfish agenda. That's pretty much the only reason why I'm on this tribe. But it doesn't mean that I should use that exact same strategy. I'm really trying to win this time. You're actually not supposed to make the same mistakes as you did the first you've played... But thanks to Ridley wanting to make an alliance with Bowser and I, instead of me trying to avoid what I did in Mexico, he's basically asking me to do the exact opposite. And I don't really know how I feel about that..."

"I mean, Ridley, I am willing to work with you if it honestly benefits me. But are you really sure that it's gonna come down to everyone just going against the strongest members on here?" If that was not showing how hesitant he was about it, he did not know what else to tell people. "You don't think it's gonna be even a little more complicated than that? There are past relationships with everybody. Specter and Plague should be the main two we would all be concerned about right now, and we don't even know who got kicked off the Heroes tribe yet."

"Okay, I'll make another point, then." Ridley found no problem with debating with others. "We were all voted off our previous seasons where us being physical played at least some sort of factor. If the three of us are trying to outperform our previous placements here, do you not feel that the physical players are going to be targeted around the merge? Do you think that someone that is terrible in physical challenges are going to be the biggest concern instead? Hell, Doc Louis won my season and he's the worst challenge performer I've ever seen. Isabelle won your season. I highly doubt they are gonna let us get far this season, knowing all of our games already, especially Bowser, one of the biggest names of the season. And like I said, I do not know for certain of how people are going to play out here, which is why we should keep this alliance under wraps for as long as possible if you are interested. If you are, we do not need to reveal our intentions until we absolutely have to."

He sighed. "Okay. I get it... I'll be open to it. I need allies, anyway. I appreciate the offer."

"Part of me really doesn't want to go on this path again. But at the same time, if what Ridley is saying turns out to be true about the tribe eventually not wanting much to do with the three of us, if I'm going on this path, I am gonna have to at least score anything better than tenth place. ...Now of course I want to get to the end and win. Ridley agrees with what I said about how people handle us physical folk, and I can't say that I don't stand by that anymore. Maybe we're already being watched under a magnifying glass, maybe not. Who knows. Anything could be a reason to vote somebody off, really. But it'll be hell of an improvement for me to win. It's much better than not even reaching single digits, that's for sure."

Heroes

Day 4

Mario, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Zelda, Meta Knight, Sonic, Vector, Shovel Knight, Golden

-/-

After the blue team's flag was shown off once again, the scene quickly switched to see two large gloved hands striking the machete against the flint, resulting in flames slowly beginning to produce.

"Good work, Meta." Vector told his tribe mate, he and Mario adding more sticks to further build the fire. "So glad we finally have the flint. Now we ain't gotta worry about struggling all day."

"Hmm... I actually believe I've gotten even better at this..."

"Now all we have to do is to, haha... hope we win the next challenge." Mario stated, wanting to remain as positive as possible in spite of the circumstances.

"Better keep morale going." Vector was in agreement. "Let's just call that first round a minor setback. But we'll get it together. We're the Heroes for a reason, so we should be used to having setbacks like this."

Minor? Dude, a former winner was voted off. Was that minor to him? And one of the people he was talking to at that point was someone that aligned himself with her. Come on...

"My first three days out here to make a long story short basically reminded me of everything that comes with Survivor when I played Caribbean." Espio's co-worker explained. "I am playing in the same location, my team lost the first challenge, and my team had to go to the first Tribal Council. Now our team is still trying to keep hope alive to help prevent a worst case scenario here. If we lose another challenge, I don't know what's gonna happen here. I do not need a repeat of my last season. I was sort of already getting a headache or two from that early strategizing when I was trying to keep Reptile Runaways under wraps with Banjo. But now that there is no early alliance that I am a part of, it's... actually less stressful for me."

He was seen blowing on the fire as an effort to keep it going. "One of the things that I took from last season is because of how bloody and cutthroat the game can get, you might have to do some things that are seemingly out of character for you in the real world. For example, all that thinking, strategizing, and coming up with plans, at most, that is Epsio's doing when handle our detective work. He makes the plans and I help execute 'em. But out here you're kinda doing everything, because you gotta have some kind of game in you. And yet,... this is still an awesome experience, man. I can't forget to have fun out here. I just can't. ...I mean, I was lucky enough to be a friggin' All Star with people that I've either played with before, or with someone that I watched on a previous season including Espio's. Why not just take it easy sometimes and live a little in spite of all these conditions? All in all, I know I got a game to play, but hopefully I have even more opportunities to... be Vector, rather than getting headaches all the time by coming up with a million plans every three seconds."

It was not hard to understand his viewpoint. Regardless, Vector's fans hoped that he was well aware that strategizing was a major part of the show. But perhaps the croc deserved some kind of credit for not being too much against strategizing like Funky Kong. Survivor was literally a competitive game for a reason. If one desired to be the Sole Survivor, he or she needed to work for it.

Now onto Sonic and Mario, they were both taking a walk in the woods to separate themselves from the other castaways. Now that everyone was spread all over the place, it gave them an advantage.

"I mean, at least in Kodai Island, we actually came out on top, man..." Sonic said. "I guess this is karma for us being the good guys in that situation. We were the heroes in that season, now it's our turn to understand what it's like to be struggling here so early in the game."

"It is us against everyone. We're the only two people that are on the bottom of this tribe, even though we were only doing what was in our best interest." Mario replied. "It was just the one opportunity we had to keep ourselves in a good position, didn't work out at all. Now we are such in a deep hole right now that I have no idea how we're gonna get out of."

"This is a perfect opportunity to hunt for an idol." He was right. There was no reason to not look for it. "We really need it, because I don't know what can we do to have anyone come to our side. It is seven against two..."

"Massive disadvantage here. That's why the number one best option for us is to hope our team wins the next challenge." The two of them stopped in their tracks. "Otherwise, the obvious is going to occur. Isabelle's gonna see one of us at Ponderosa."

That was when Sonic snickered. "'One of us'? Dude, I'm literally the only winner left out here. I'm such an easy vote it's downright hilarious at this point."

He grinned in response. "You're not wrong, but there are reasons to get me out over you as well. You've won three more immunities than me and you're probably the fastest runner I've ever seen. You literally told me in Kodai Island you wanted to run laps around the entire island."

World's fastest hedgehog for a reason.

"Heh, I don't think running or how fast a guy is plays a factor when it comes to writing people off, Mario."

"Perhaps I shouldn't have associated myself with Sonic, but I don't think there was any other option for me. But now I am the only one that is working with him at the moment, as if I'm being... guilty by association. Now, one thing about me is that I'm rather an optimistic and hopeful person. Even when times are rough, I'm always trying to look at the bright side of things. ...Maybe it's because of me feeling like if I'm down or moody about a situation, it is not going to be any better unless I keep my head above water. But,..." Fighter number one went silent for a moment, whatever music playing in the background stopping in the process. "...this is rough. It really is."

He all of a sudden covered both of his face with his hands. "I don't know what I can really do to get out of this..."

"Never say never, right?" Though Mario was smiling on the outside, if Sonic had the ability to see inside, everything was not all peaches and cream. ...But Sonic felt he was getting those kinda vibes from his friend, anyway.

So he placed a hand on his shoulder in support. "We'll do what we can, dude. Just think of the time it was us four against an entire tribe at the merge."

"...Meh, everyone from that tribe except for Little Mac, but I get where you're going with it."

Back with Meta Knight, he felt that he, DK, and Golden needed to have a crucial strategic conversation about the events that occurred the previous night. All three of them played a crucial role in voting off Isabelle, yet Meta deserved to take most of the credit for that.

"...Are you two rather upset with me?"

The three of them were in a more open area part of the woods.

"Not at all." 'Goldie-locks' shook his head in reply. "How can we be upset at you feeling like you did what was best for your game?"

"Honestly, I felt like I was number six in that alliance." Meta Knight explained. "The five of you know each other due to your previous seasons. But if I aligned with you, I would have had no sort of advantage whatsoever. Two of the players are winners, you two are strong in challenges, and Mario gets by solely based off his relationships."

"That's understandable." Donkey Kong agreed. "We're not mad at you. It's just the whole situation we're in at the moment. But all we can do now is move forward."

"I feel it was best to at least write one of those winners off. However, keep this in mind. I still feel like I have no one to call a close ally out here. Me and Vector are getting along rather well, but I do not know if I can trust him over the two of you, since with you both, I've shared more strategic conversations with. Neither of you strategically see eye to eye with Vector, do you?"

"I've no problems with him, but..." Golden hunched his shoulders. "I don't think we have enough reasons to work together."

"I knew exactly what I was doing when I made the decision to vote off Isabelle over Zelda." So Golden was right. Meta Knight was well aware of what he was trying to accomplish. "I felt number six in that alliance, so I made my move. And yet at the same time, I knew I needed to have a couple people by my side that I can trust. And Donkey Kong and Golden might be just what I need. In order to gain some kind of power in tribe, taking out one of their allies, while at the same time needing a little more help for longevity in the game, it's a lose-win for them. ...But it could be a complete win for me. I do not know who else to trust out here. DK and Golden are physical competitors, and they feel they are going to be targets at some point. Now that they've officially separated themselves from Mario and Sonic who are on the bottom of the group, they have no other choice but to align with me. There's something in store for everyone involved."

Damn... Meta Knight was sounding pretty smart here. Overall it was sounding as if the ultimate goal for him was to up his position due to him feeling like he had no solid connections going into the game other than Ridley, who was on the opposite side.

"Should we make an official alliance, then?"

"..." King Kong sighed, shaking hands with his fellow Smasher. "Alright, I guess the two of us are on board. We need more allies to get through this game with, and we have no issues with each other personally."

Golden blinked, part of him feeling like he wanted to make himself clear. "We just need to know if we can trust you. If you are simply wanting more footing, stabbing us in the back right now is not going to be a good thing for any of us."

"It'd be a terrible idea to do so." Meta Knight did not know if that was either a warning or a threat. "I am not someone such as Shadow the Hedgehog or Ryu. If you trust me, I'll trust you."

"..." Golden smirked and finally shook hands with him. "Haha, just wanted to test you out."

"Ridley is someone that I am more than comfortable calling my friend, but he played a large role in affecting my game both positively and negatively at the same time. And I am not putting myself in a position where I have complete control over everything, because I have no plans on making myself a target early on. Yet I feel the need to set myself up a little better, in contrast to what was going on for me in the Caribbean. Hopefully DK and Golden do not turn on me as a consequence for me eliminating their friend, and maybe the three of us could build some more trust."

"Let us continue to go with the tribe for now." Meta Knight suggested. "And it is obvious what needs to happen at this next vote. One of those two will be going if we have to go back to Tribal Council."

That did not sit well with either of them, especially for DK. Then again, gotta separate friendship from the game, right?

"If I have to put their names down in order for us to move forward, that's what I have to do. It's all business and strategy."

Alright. So there were some characters moments and strategic moments on both tribes. Meta Knight is definitely a player to watch right now, as well as Ridley... Funny, right? Aside from that, Foxy and Sheik are thinking of work with each other, and Sonic and Mario are trying to figure their way out of this hole they are in.

But anyway, tell me what you all think. Next time we're gonna get to the second immunity challenge... When the hell is someone gonna find an idol or an advantage by the way?

(By the way, I announced my new poll at the end of the last chapter, but I forgot to allow users to have the choice to select up to five players (only way I found out is that Vector got a single vote from somebody). So I had to re-do it. Whoever voted Vector last chapter, I've fixed the poll so that you can vote up to five characters now.)