Survivor - Heroes vs Villains

Chapter 8 - Day 7

Hiya there.

So here we are going into episode three. Ridley and Donkey Kong have idols, Mario is out of the game leaving Sonic on his own, and the Heroes have yet to win a challenge...

What an unfortunate end to Luigi's older brother, but I know he's proud nonetheless.

Let's see what goes on for everyone this time.

~KF

EPISODE THREE: Return, Revenge, Redemption

Heroes

Night 6

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

-/-

Well,... another sacrifice was made.

Sure, it might have been the most iconic character in video game history, but a sacrifice was a sacrifice. It was not as if the other eight people remaining on the Heroes tribe was playing Mario's game, anyway. They had to play for themselves and for whatever reason, they felt Mario was the necessary choice to go home.

Nonetheless though, who was to say that his tribe members lacked feelings or emotions. Every last one of them felt bad and guilty in varying degrees.

For starters, there went the only survivor that stood by Sonic's side when it was them against the world, and now Sonic was all on his own at the bottom... without his good friend from season one of the show.

The group had to make sure he was doing... alright considering the circumstances.

"Sonic,... I'm sorry." It was Vector that was the first to apologize. "I can't imagine what it's like being you right now. You know that we all hated to write him off like that."

"Please..." He grinned, trying to stay as positive as possible. The blue blur waved a hand out in front of him, not wanting everybody to worry too much. "I'm just glad that I'm still here. That's all. Zelda, I know you're tired of seeing your name come up..."

"I take no offense." She nodded in assurance. "You and Mario had to vote for somebody, and you had to do what made sense for you. I just find it interesting that after all that, you and Mario never voted for each other."

"I would have. Us targeting each other would have been the easy way to go, but... we headed a different way."

"Morally speaking, that is something I feel like people would respect."

Shovel Knight then came up to hug the hedgehog, a big look of guilt underneath. "I'm sorry... It was not easy sending either of you home. None of us would be here if it wasn't for you all."

"You know,... even though I was adamant on going against the winners,.. I feel terrible, man." Vector shook his head frowning. "Me and Sonic developed a friendship before this season even started, and I know that he is close to Mario, and I had to write his name down and send him home. I felt guilty the moment we all sent Iz on her way. Not that it's Sonic himself, but the thing is Sonic knows there's nobody else he can align with. Hopefully he ain't depressed too much by it, because it unlike Sonic to be sad about pretty much anything... I'm worried about him..."

"I'm gonna be alright, guys. Don't worry." Sonic was appreciative of all the support, yet the apologies were not going to change anything. They were not going to bring Mario nor Isabelle back. Meh... It was the thought that counted, right? "Mario went home before me before and it was me against everyone..."

"That was different..." Yoshi turned his head side to side. "I feel things are really worse for you here... I... I just wish that we won that challenge so none of us would have had to worry about this right now."

"Trust me..." Golden placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We will do our damnest to win the next challenge..."

"I really thank you all, but I'll be fine... We're all surviving day by day and we signed up for this. I signed up for this knowing what I had to deal with, and these are the consequences of that..."

His back was leaning against one of the poles that kept the Heroes tribe flag up. "I'm really trying to stay as positive as I can out here... But I'll be honest... This sucks... This is awful... Isabelle was a fellow winner, Mario was someone that I've known for a while and we both played together in Kodai, and our backs were up against the wall and once again I had to see him leave. I'm on my own... again. This time is against seven people here, and another tribe. I don't really know the last time I... Oh man..."

He used his right hand to cover his eyes. For the first time since Kodai Island's Final Tribal Council, tears were forming in his eyes. "It's... It's just a combination of the two people voted off before me that I both cared about, and needed for me to stay in the game, and knowing that I don't have any options... I... clearly can not get any lower. I am not trying to test fate or anything, but how in the name of Chaos could this get any worse? Seriously... I literally have no idea what to do... I don't... Guess that's Survivor for ya... Always finding out what to do, and right now I need the Survivor Gods more than ever... This sucks man..."

It was only a matter of time for Donkey Kong to approach Sonic directly... alone.

"..."

"..."

...Neither of them even knew what to say each other.

But Donkey Kong knew he had to say something. It was not as if Sonic put Mario's name down. "...You sure you're not upset with me?"

"I'd be bitter if I was upset directly at you." Sonic replied, slowly sliding a hand down his face. "Guess you feel obligated to see how I'm doing, right?"

He smiled in reaction. "Why wouldn't I? You know that I care about you, and so as the rest of this group. But we all know that it hurts me the most, that I... simply just can't bring you and Mario to the final three with me. ...Hahaha!"

"Well, I've already won before. That's why I'm on the bottom in the first place. ...But whatever you do, don't do something just to please me. If the tribe feels like I already had my go at this and since I won the million, I would actually feel guilty for stopping you trying to get your money."

"I don't know what is worse... me voting out Mario or me playing a factor of Sonic now being all alone by himself on the bottom, knowing he's public enemy number one now." Now Donkey Kong himself was feeling rather saddened by everything. Though he was doing a much better job holding back whatever tears that might have been forming in his eyes. "...You just can't help it but feel guilty. I'm of course responsible, and it's really a shame that things have to be this way. Now obviously this is not going to change our friendship in any way, shape, or form, and things aren't even going too badly for me on my end, but still... things like this, this game can really get to you. I think for anyone else that might be in my position in the near future should mentally prepare themselves. This is what you're going to have to deal with."

Golden was standing right by the shelter as he noticed the banana king coming back, dropping a hand on his shoulder.

"Doing okay, man?"

"I'm hangin' in there..."

Heroes

Day 7

The following morning was a new day for everyone. New day for Sonic, new day for Donkey Kong, new day for... everyone else on the Heroes tribe.

Eighteen players left, and fifteen more had to leave. It was crucial for the players to have as much longevity as possible. Though for some players, due to certain positions they were in, it was even harder for them. But there was no such thing as giving up, especially when it came to Survivor.

"I've talked with the producers and I told them that I was starting to feel like Yoshi these days." Donkey Kong snickered. He was sitting next to Golden on the beach. And him having to write down Mario and strategically isolate Sonic was obviously still very fresh in his mind.

In Golden's case, common sense stated that he knew exactly what Kong was going through. Voting out people one had prior relationships with was tough.

"Survivor is difficult in so many ways, man. This whole thing really puts us in a certain spot. Obviously in real life we would not ditch our friends just for our own selfish needs." The bear explained. "Even Sonic, Mario, and Isabelle realize that them being on this season does not just affect them in particular, it affects all of us, and we're right behind them regarding that because we've played with them before."

"Well one of the main things is that it decreases the target on our backs." DK sounded a bit better than last night, but it was definitely going to take some time, and that did not even count the possibility of Sonic going home right after Mario. "And I suppose this does bring the two of us even closer."

"And I only had to do deal with one person from my season when it comes to this situation. DK has to deal with two and one of them is already gone. So even though I understand how he feels, he is actually having it worse. He clearly never had to do anything like this before, and even though he has no intentions on not giving this a hundred and ten percent, he is aware of the sacrifices he has to make and it's gonna keep bothering him for a bit."

"It does... We were already each other's number one allies to begin with." Diddy's uncle brought up. "Even if it is in our best interest to turn on each other, we're gonna have to stick together for pretty much at least the majority of the game. If we go after each other, it's over for the both of us... And... you know,... there's probably no point in hiding this thing from you anymore... This is what I found in the challenge yesterday."

"Wait,... what?" He stared at him confused, Donkey Kong reaching in his bag to show him the special item the Survivor Gods gave him. Golden immediately widened his eyes at the sight. "...No way..."

"It was underneath the cradle where we had to put that snake in. You didn't notice, but it was when Meta was starting to toss the rings." DK elaborated. "I don't know if one of the Villains had to do the same thing, but I was not paying attention to them."

"...So the idol was found in the challenge?" The bear pointed at the idol. "...I... How did you even know it was in the challenge?"

"I found a clue on this island not too long ago telling me all about it." He smirked in reply. "I was literally going insane inside trying to figure out how to find it and grab it in front of everyone the entire time, while at the same time trying to figure out a way to win the challenge... which we lost, anyway."

"..."

"Haha!" Donkey Kong expected him to be completely shocked at the reveal. "I know you are near speechless, but I wanted to tell because I have no reason to hide this from you."

"People are probably screaming at me right now through the TV. Telling anyone that you have an immunity idol could be one of the worst mistakes you can make. But as far as Golden is concerned, I decided to let him know, anyway. He had conversations with Funky Kong about me before, and we've known each other physically since after Survivor - Mexico, and in this season, generally us working together makes perfect sense, and us targeting each other would be a fatal blow. So this idol right here-" He patted the idol necklace on his neck. "-represents the both of us. I know Golden is not going to tell anyone about it, so why keep this a secret from my closest ally and real friend?"

"Wow..." He was still rather stunned. "I really do appreciate you telling me this information. I don't know if I would have done the same, but not many people have to guts to do that..."

"I trust you..." DK allowed the idol to be in Golden's hands for a little. "I trust you just as long as you trust me."

"I do not know what gave DK the idea to present his idol to me. Maybe it is part of his reaction to yesterday." Golden was almost laughing, but not to make fun of him, just in surprise. "You know DK is someone that I looked up to before I played my season, and now he's trusting me to the point where he revealed his hidden immunity idol that he apparently snatched at the last challenge. Me personally I would have at least debated just as much as he probably was in his mind to reveal it. But even if I wanted to, I don't think I would have even thought of showing it to anyone else around here other than Donkey Kong. Guess that really says a lot about our relationship... My trust in him was already sky high the moment we set foot on this island together, now I don't know how much higher it can go."

Now it was time to move onto some of the other players on the Heroes tribe. Who did the producers choose next? Hmm... Zelda!

She was currently soaking in the water with Yoshi, not far from Golden and Donkey Kong having their own conversation.

"You know, even though two winners are on this season," Zelda told him. "I also find it interesting of all the non-winning finalists here... Me, you, and Plague Knight. I'm surprised that more people aren't really giving us a certain look with that it seems... Other than the challenges, do you feel anyone's targeting me for that reason?"

Yoshi shook 'no' almost instantly. "No... All I've heard was that you are not physically strong in the challenges... What about me?"

"Your name has not been thrown around at all as far as I'm concerned." Guess that was a plus for the both of them. "It kind of proves to what I was thinking. Being non-winning finalists, I feel that it is a double-edged sword in itself. You've made to the end, but you have not won. Link is a non-winning finalist himself."

Kind of funny that Link and Zelda both placed second... Just... wow.

"Yoshi,... do you see us being targeted after Sonic is gone?"

"..." He paused and thought to himself for quite a bit. "Hopefully not... I haven't done anything to anyone, I don't have an idol, and I haven't backstabbed anybody yet..."

Well, duh! This was only the third episode. The dinosaur was not given much of an opportunity to backstab anyone.

"See, my name was written down two tribals in row, and if things end up getting worse for me, even after Sonic is gone, I have to do whatever it takes to protect myself. I've been through something like this before, and as always it is not a good feeling. It is as if you're in trouble all the time."

"Sonic is obviously the next person to go, but you can't just think about the next Tribal Council." Zelda ran her fingers through her dark brown hair. "You have to think as many tribals down the line as you can so that you can plan for the competition long-term. Worst comes to worst, I'm sent home right after Sonic... And probably not solely due to my weakness in physical challenges. Perhaps they might target all the non-winning finalists next. On the Villains side, they would probably think that they should might as well treat Plague Knight as if he's a winner and he's already a big target to be voted off, anyways. Me and Yoshi over here could be targeted only because we've made it to the end before... You never know how these people are really playing. Other than... maybe Shovel Knight, I don't see myself having any other close allies right now, so I thought that maybe I should consider aligning myself with Yoshi."

"Maybe they would think that a person going to the end in their last season could mean they could go to the end and win this time." She further stated to the reptilian. "...Would you consider it, though?"

"I mean, I need more allies, too." He nodded, not at all throwing away that possibility. "And I do like you, Zelda. Maybe we should align together."

"Perhaps I should have done this even earlier, but I feel like with Sonic being the lone wolf on the bottom, I think it is good to prepare for what's to come next. I do not think I was ever really the main one trying to recruit allies and building alliances, but this is my second chance out here. Both Link and I have made to the end before, so the only next step for one of us is to win. So after Yoshi, I've decided to really have that strategic conversation with Shovel Knight, who is rather easy. We were not really close allies, but we do share the fact that we were both on Survivor - Emperors vs Knights and made final five together."

Damn, Zelda. Go, girl...

"You know that even if you don't win this, the one thing to improve on is to at least do better than the last time you've played." Zelda walked with him along a pathway in the woods. "And I think if you were in that final, you probably would have at least a decent shot... I'm not really sure, however..."

"Haha, it's fine." Shovel waved it off. "It is nice to know that someone thinks I had a chance in the finals... But, yes. I don't really know if I've made any close allies, either. I feel like my biggest chance is with you of all people, and you know why..."

"I do." She grinned back. "And at this point, since Sonic is going next, we have to think about the near future for ourselves if we want a chance at this. So,... would you consider calling it official?"

"Well,... I don't see any reason to go against you, I suppose... But I feel like it would do us both some good. ...Who's that...?"

"It's Vector." Zelda noticed in the distance. "We'll cut it short for right now, but we'll make time to get back with each other."

"Okay."

"The past couple elimination rounds have been rather saddening... It was depressing to watch Isabelle be the first out, it was depressing to see Mario being voted out only because of his relationship with a previous winner, and assuming Sonic's going home next, it is going to be the most depressing elimination so far this season. Had it been up to my heart solely, I would have definitely fought a lot harder for them, but I do realize that this is a strategic game to be played." Shovel Knight stated. "In my previous season, I've nearly made it to the end, but I was not really known for strategizing too much. The reason being is that I am still rather learning to play this game in a more strategic way. I do not think I'm all the way there, but I feel like I need to learn, especially since this is my second time playing. ...I might need some help."

"So is the game still fresh in your mind from last season?"

He decided to talk with Meta Knight.

"...Pretty much." He did not deny, both knights standing by the water well. "I am still thinking of certain decisions myself or other players have made that would have turned out differently had they gone down another road. But, this is 'Return, Revenge, Redemption' for a reason. I plan on hopefully making some even better gameplay choices this time."

"Hahaha!" Shovel Knight slowly brought a hand to his head. "I think you are a smart player. So unfortunate Simon overheard that conversation in your season causing you to be blindsided."

"Very unfortunate indeed, but I think that Val would have convinced Chrom and Yoshi to vote me out, anyway. At the time she wanted to make sure Rodin didn't win immunity in the next challenge. Even if Simon never found out, I was likely going home no matter what because those three were already aware of my plan with Doc Louis."

"Honestly, I don't think I even have half the strategic mind as you. I was not really known for the most flashy gameplayer in my season. Not that I'm trying to be, but I'm trying to be more... game smart, as you could say."

"Hmm..." That was definitely something for the Kirby anti-hero to hear. "This is rather interesting coming from you."

"Some of these folks are some of the smartest people I've ever seen." Shovel pointed in a random direction. "I think you could be a good teacher. For starters, we have a similar profession. We literally have the word 'knight' as part of our professional name, for starters."

They both chuckled.

"And we are good warriors on our respective worlds, and on a personal level, I think we both see eye to eye."

"...Alliance?" Meta Knight went straight to the point. He pretty much knew that was the other main reason Shovel approached him.

"I think it could beneficial for us both moving forward..."

"Shovel Knight is apparently wanting to learn about... the strategic ways of Survivor, I guess." He giggled in slight amusement. "Very interesting. Maybe he realizes that his season was arguably considered to be the most competitive season thus far, and he thinks of himself to not really be a super competitive player. I mean, he was still labeled as a threat solely due to his likability. That's the number one reason he's even here. The fact that you were a threat to win based off your own perception alone is rather impressive... Though I think he feels that he lacks some 'game sense' in him, and he's looking for a little help with that."

"I guess you could say that I've gotten inspired by your season, Survivor - Caribbean." He explained. "The overall narrative of it was to balance friendship and gameplay. For me personally, I did come on the show wanting more adventure, but I was surrounded by people that were really ready to play the game and get to the top. And then with your season airing, I feel like I should maybe step up my gameplay a little more."

"I see..." Meta kept in grinned on beneath his mask. "I'm glad that I can inspire someone like you. Survivor is no easy game as you well know. And based off my experience, clearly anything can happen. The job is to make sure you stay on guard at all times... Think of it as us in combat. Always expect the unexpected."

"Your advice and expertise is much appreciated!"

"The pleasure is all mine." He nodded. "Anything you need help with, I'll be here. But if you want an alliance with me, perhaps you have yourself a deal."

"I have no problems working with Meta Knight, since I do need more allies to gain... You know, the special thing about this is that it is giving me flashbacks to no one other than Jerome 'Doc' Louis, who was literally known for him coaching others (including me) throughout the game, only getting to a point where he needed to help himself in order to win. He is the best winner we've seen so far, and I'm already being in his shoes right now." He took a brief moment to remember him. "So I suppose it is my turn to start helping others. I want to be a good friend, but strategically it benefits me as well."

"I'm glad you are on this season, Shovel. I'll tell you all there is to know."

Villains

Day 7

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

-/-

Due to the team winning two challenges in a row, it did seem as if the Villains were on a seven day vacation in the Caribbean. No challenges lost, no Tribal Councils, and no lost members of the tribe.

And they now received their new fishing gear, which meant that they were able to put some more meat into their system. Rice and coconut at that point for these All Stars might as well have been taken out of their vocabulary at that point.

So Wolf, Springtrap, and Sheik were out on the raft a certain distance away from the shore, with Bowser being seen underwater. Come to think of it, there were not that many shots of the survivors fishing underwater, anyway. And it was rather interesting seeing Bowser, an anthropomorphic turtle actually swimming underwater like real turtles do.

There was one turtle in particular that was not too far way from him, though he did not notice since he was too busy focusing on the task at hand.

Koopa had the spear in hand wearing his underwater mask. And within a second later, he thrusted it forward hoping to catch something...

...Yet the fish was just too fast, so it got away. Damn it...

Back on the raft, Sheik was sitting 'criss-cross-applesauce' style, Wolf was using a fishing line trying to perform the task the old-fashioned way, and Springtrap was seen lying flat on his back simply passing the time.

"Once I get this meat in me I'll be a lot better. Anyone knows me knows that I'm obviously a meat lover, but in the past seven days up to this point I haven't really ate much."

"None of us have..." Springtrap agreed. "I personally would like to get some pizza out here."

"Meat Lovers pizza it is, then?"

"Haha, guys..." Sheik suddenly said. "You're both talking like,... one to two weeks from now. I think even if we're going to get a pizza reward, that would come at merge feast at the latest."

"Well as long as I'm not eating the same old thing over and over again like we've been doing, I'll be a good little pup." Wolf replied. "But at least we were able to win this reward. All I know is if this asshole down in the water doesn't come up with something I'm gonna be sharpening my claws tonight and wreaking havoc around the lair."

"Oh, yeah?" Springtrap raised his head up a little bit smirking. "And then what? You're gonna be howlin' at the moon?"

"I don't know if it's even gonna be a full moon or not..." The lupine hunched. "It's not like we have a calendar out here or anything."

"It's been a peaceful seven days so far. Once again I'm on a team that has some sort of winning streak going on... I think around this point in my season we were actually already swapping tribes, and now these days people are sayin' it's ridiculous to do that so early... Haha, I'm getting off topic here. But I guess right now we're all kinda just chillin' enjoy as much free time as we can. I'm a pretty chill kinda guy in general with a rough edge. On my best days I can actually be pretty polite... But the moment when you cross me I can pretty much be the worst person you'll ever encounter. Pretty much a good reason why I'm glad I'm not on the Heroes tribe. I'm too much of a badass." O'Donnell lifted his hands with a big grin. "Simple as that."

Hahahaha! Wait, no kidding. A producer was actually heard laughing at that. Perhaps it would have been a nice hashtag moment, but production decided to not allow it due to Wolf's language, even though he literally just spoke it himself. Meh... rules were rules.

"...Those Heroes are probably having a rough time given all they've been through..." Sheik was all of a sudden thinking about them.

"Well you're not a real Villain if you have any sympathy for 'em..." O'Donnell figured. "Let 'em take care of their business. We got our own. ...It ain't our fault they lost two challenges."

Umm,... yes it was! The Heroes lost, because the Villains won! That was literally how it worked! What was Wolf on?

"I ain't trying to sound like I'm better than everyone or nothin', but this is my first time out here in a while. Me talking _ is something that I like to do, anyway. I'm out here for a second chance at a million dollars, but if you ain't having some kind of enjoyment out here, you're not taking advantage of the full experience. Just kickin' back, relaxin', chattin' things up with the boys and the one woman out here. Take whatever opportunities you can to ya know, just live a little. ...But at the same time I am out here for a second chance at a million dollars. So I'll either just lie low when I want and be cutthroat when I need to. That was how I was able to get far last time and hopefully I can get away with it again this season with all these big targets out here."

"I mean, it's just the human in you, because what if we were in their shoes right now?" Sheik argued her point. "You told some of us you were pretty upset when you lost your first tribal immunity challenge."

"And if we win again, we're gonna keep on movin'." Wolf simply did not care. "It's Survivor - Heroes vs Villains, not Survivor - Best Friends. We have to play up to the theme as much as possible to ensure we have a good time out here despite these conditions."

Springtrap began laughing at the whole conversation. "I'm actually liking your language here."

Wolf pointed a finger his way while glancing at Sheik. "See? He gets it."

"Wolf is pretty much reminding me of Rodin last season." said the rabbit before laughing again. "Not really like Rodin, but I guess I need someone like Rodin out here again. Someone I can pretty much joke with and he's that kinda guy. I mean he's just hilarious! It's like how he doesn't take himself too seriously, but he kinda does at the same time. It's just incredible. It'd be good for me both personally and the game itself to have someone around like that."

"Should we just stay out here just a little more before we head back to the lair?"

"I don't think it'll hurt much." The anti-hero/villain/rival of StarFox answered. "They know there ain't no idols in the ocean so they have no reason to get suspicious..."

So what was going on at camp?

Well currently, Foxy was seen tending to the fire, Ryu watching from his sitting position in the shelter.

"Best to keep winning and make sure those Heroes have less numbers at merge, right?"

"Yep..." Foxy answered the martial artist. "More numbers means that it is us that will have the advantage at merge. As a tribe, I don't know where everyone stands with each other, but hopefully we'll be at the top of everything at the end of the day."

"...But what if we actually lose the next challenge?"

"Well I feel like we always need to be prepared in the event we lose something." He stated. "We should already have an option on the table right now... How's you and Specter?"

"We're still kinda iffy on each other..." Ryu replied. "We have no beef, but we're unsure of what to do with the other, and same with me and Plague."

"...Good." He felt that was rather pleasing for him to hear. "Because I think majority of this tribe wants Plague gone, anyway. He's obviously the weakest of this tribe and he knows it. So if we don't win the next immunity, he's the main one we could afford to lose. Only person that would vote with him is Specter, unless he's okay throwing him under the bus."

"I think if he realizes that Plague has no hope, he'd go against him as well. And that's not me saying this just to protect Specter of course. But he doesn't have many options right now.

"...Hey Ridley," The pirate fox then noticed Ridley coming his way. "you okay with Plague going home if we lose?"

"...Well he should be the main one on the chopping block right now." Ridley seemed to be on the same page. "Besides Specter, I don't think he has any close allies."

"Good."

"Majority of this tribe still feels like Plague Knight should be the first person voted out of this tribe." Foxy appeared to understand the mains objective regarding most of his fellow Villains. "The way he and Specter were in Mexico, Specter made one of the biggest moves this show has seen, and Plague somehow made his way to the Final Tribal Council. And with them being on the same tribe together? I mean, even if we're somehow not doing Plague, then perhaps it should be Specter himself."

Wow. Both of them were in trouble.

"I think the others wouldn't mind seeing Plague leave." Ryu continued on, with Ridley now standing nearby. "And I think that if people are actually comfortable enough, they might have us consider keeping him around and have Specter Knight leave, since he was one of the biggest reasons why Plague reached the end in the first place."

"Very true..." Foxy nodded in agreement.

"Specter Knight was playing a rather quiet game in the beginning, and then out of nowhere,... he does the unthinkable. I don't know if we can let him get away with doing stuff like that again, so me and him are obviously not tight out here, and me and Plague never really had a relationship in the first place."

"I've officially made up my mind regarding what to do with Specter... I'm gonna have to go against him." Oh no... "This is mainly because of me wanting to turn down my threat level a little more,... in contrast to what I was doing the last time I played. Me and Specter started on the same tribe together, but based off what happened,... people clearly aren't as concerned of our relationship, versus him and Plague. But in the chance that people are, I want to separate myself from that, and... I kinda want some revenge. He killed my game last time."

!?

He was then shown later on having a conversation with Sheik along a path in the woods.

"Just making sure we're clear regarding Specter and Plague, I'm find with either of them going home. If it has to be Plauge first, we're doing Plague first for the sake of us avoiding a losing streak if we don't win this next one. But if people are already scared of Specter, I'll put his name down."

"Not gonna lie, I was kind of on the edge of my seat of when I saw you two and Golden battling out to win immunity after Espio was gone." Sheik giggled a little. "And when Specter got that necklace,... I knew your game was pretty much done. Haha!"

"Golden and that fake idol kinda got overshadowed by that, to be honest." Ryu brought up. "Not many people actually talked about it because everyone was so focused on me versus Specter. But he basically wanted to show people that he was also okay with me going home at the time because before Espio got idol'd out, me and him were in an alliance together."

"Now I'm not going after solely because of me wanting to get the upper hand on this season. I genuinely think going against him is gonna benefit me this time. Otherwise, all three of us are gonna be in trouble. I don't have an idol, hopefully neither of those two don't, unless we want a repeat of what happened last time when we all thought Plague didn't have an idol. Besides, I somehow managed to find myself in yet another strong guys alliance... that I was not even trying to recreate! But since we're all on the Villains tribe, I'll be ready to be one when the timing is right. Is it now, later,... don't know for sure."

There was himself and Bowser together.

"I've just had a conversation with Foxy and Ridley a little while ago. We were all kinda checking in with each other about Plague and Specter. I don't think the target is gonna change from one of those two, and I've told them I was fine putting either of their names down... I mean,... it wouldn't make any sense for me to align with them at all, since I'm with you and Ridley."

He nodded with certainty. "It wouldn't make sense for you, because you would be thrown under the bus, which means that Ridley would be in trouble, and I would be in trouble. And I'm not asking for a hard time right now, because so far I feel like I'm having a much easier time than on Kodai Island, and I don't want nothin' to ruin that."

"I don't blame you..."

"...And what about Shadow? Ain't he still on the chopping block?"

"He is, but I guess with Plague and Specter, by the way they aligned with each other last time, they're both basically two people. ...They are two people. Specter is more powerful like that. ...I think if they were both separated, Shadow might actually be a good choice, but they're both together on this tribe right now."

"Ridley, Ryu, and I are doing a good job so far keeping our secret alliance of three on the low. No one should expect anything suspicious from us. Everyone knows that Plague and Specter are big targets, but everyone also knows that Shadow's a big target because of how he played in his season. He's not nearly as strong as I am, so he's not as required for challenges as some of the others are. Specter is also not really needed, and Plague already sat out of a challenge. ...So at this point, besides Ridley and Ryu, as long as the target is not on me, I feel like I'm doing good out here. I just need to get some fish in me soon and I'll have a good day."

What about Specter and Plague Knight themselves?

Well for Specter, he was seen fetching more water for everyone with Ridley, Foxy, and Wolf.

"Have any of you heard anyone throwing my name around?"

"Not that I know of."

"Nah."

"Nope."

Liars! All three of them! And Foxy and Ridley both had short-term memory loss. They literally just threw them under the bus. Maybe it was fitting for them to be on the Villains tribe if they acted like lying right to peoples' faces was nothing but their average Thursday.

"Good." Sigh... "I'm starting to believe that if we have somebody as an option for elimination if we lose a challenge, it would do us and the rest of the tribe good. If everyone is still on the same page, we would do fine having a 9-1 on somebody."

"Who do you have in mind?" Wolf wondered.

"Sheik."

Woah...

"Based on Plague's behavior the other day, something tells me that I should probably consider that to be a warning. His head might be on the block. Me personally,... I still have yet to decide what to really do with him. Without hesitance, I could get rid of him. But just in case I need him, then that means somebody else should be on the line. And I feel that Sheik would be the most appropriate... I do not want to judge based off first impressions, but I think she is the... 'least villainous' out of the rest of us. I do not mean to offend her, but in my point of view, stealing someone's vote just to save her alliance is rather heroic in a way. Yet at the same time, her forcing Marth into working with her was the main thing people were focusing on at the time. Still, comparing to the nine other players on the tribe, she's less of a villain. And strategically on paper, she'd be the most likely individual to flip to the Heroes." That depended on how long people were going to stick to the theme (tribal lines). "She even has the... nicest personality on here and there was literally no villainy in her edit at all until she blackmailed Marth at that tribal."

He was not really wrong... "Shadow's name was also thrown out there, but he is one of the most notorious villains in this game, such as myself. We're on the same wavelength. Sheik is not even in the same ballpark as some of us. And besides, I'd rather for the target to be on her just so that I'm not the one going home. When Plague and I came back together after we attempted looking for the hidden immunity idol, we both agreed on Sheik being a solid choice. Hopefully others see our point of view..."

"I do not want to sound hypocritical." He explained to Ridley and Foxy, him pouring water from the handle. "I believe Jet and especially Incineroar judging the book by its cover regarding Tifa rubbed people the wrong way including myself. But for strategic reasons, she could be rather untrustworthy. She's the most heroic of all ten of us in this group. ...Do you guys feel that is a reason for her to flip?"

"I suppose if she realizes that." Ridley shrugged. "She probably does, anyway. If she is a possible flipper, that is something we all should watch out for. ...But for the sake of the challenges, she's the strongest female of the entire cast and she performed rather well tossing those rings."

"It is but a possibility for now. But if we keep winning, we'll continue to go through our options." He then shifted his head to Foxy as he was still pouring. "Would you be okay with it if the majority of us feel like it needs to be her?"

Not really... "I'm not gonna be against that. Rather her than me..."

Yet when Foxy was seen carrying his share of canteens back to the shelter, he mouthed out a couple words that were being shown at the bottom of the screen in white letters.

"Damn it..."

"Specter and I decided to throw Sheik out there to further avoid the target being on us. I mean I guess Specter's right about Sheik not being nearly being as villainous as everybody else, but it's more about us not going home, especially me. Like I'm still on edge around here. We've won two immunities, but my team lost the third challenge, and it could pretty much happen again! And I feel like since I'm probably so far on the chopping block, I could be first out on this tribe and I don't want that at all. I really hope I could somehow get my hands on an idol around here even if that's the case..."

Too late. Ridley already found it.

Okay... So on the Heroes side, Zelda kinda kicked the strategy up a little bit as she wants to plan in the future in the chance Sonic is eliminated next.

And as for the Villains, people are really pushing for either Specter or Plague to be eliminated, though now they're throwing Sheik under the bus. Do you guys feel like Specter is justified, or do you all feel like he just randomly threw her name out there? I mean I guess regarding his mindset, I wouldn't blame him for thinking that way, but... I don't know if many people are willing to do that. Both Specter and Plague literally admitted that they are trying to save themselves.

So we'll see how things turn out later on, since next chapter is going to be a challenge chapter after all. I encourage everyone to review as always!