24th Place: Arnold (2-2-2 Vote, 3-0 Re-Vote)
23rd Place: Donny (5-5! Vote, Lost Tiebreaker)
22nd Place: Christa (3-2 Vote)
21st Place: Ash (3-2 Vote)
20th Place: Claude (2-1-1 Vote)
19th Place: Jenae (4-2 Vote)
18th Place: Raul (5-1 Vote)
17th Place: Simon (3-3 Vote, Lost Tiebreaker)
16th Place: Mark (5-1 Vote)
15th Place: Zaiyrin (4-1 Vote)
14th Place: Vanessa (2-2 Vote, Lost Tiebreaker)
13th Place: Zaheen (2-2-1 Vote, Lost Tiebreaker)
12th Place: Rashi (4-2 Vote)
11th Place: Erin (2-3-1 Vote)
10th Place: Aaron (3-2 Vote)
9th Place: Gran (Sudden Death Elimination)
8th Place: Ellie (2-5-1 Vote)
7th Place: Mirai (4-3 Vote)
6th Place: Monica (3-3 Vote, Lost Tiebreaker)
5th Place: Phooko (1-0 Vote)
4th Place: Alison (3-0 Vote)
3rd Place: Gabriel (Sudden Death Elimination)
And now…
The Total Drama Nialasach Finale.
*Total Drama Theme Song Plays*
As the song starts, various cameras come out of the flora and fauna all around the island.
Dear Mom and Dad, I'm doing fine, you guys are on my mind
The camera zooms around all of Crios Cath before finally entering into the Nialasach Ruins.
You asked me what I wanted to be and now I think the answer is plain to see,
Aaron is on his skateboard, skating through the ruins, and as he moves forward, Claude can be seen following him, cleaning up the dust left by his skateboard tracks so that he can clear a path for Monica, who smiles at him, but ends up rolling her eyes, annoyed, when she's sure he isn't looking, and begins to pay attention to another part of the ruins, which the camera then shifts to.
I wanna be famous
Watts is looking over Erin's shoulder at an experiment she is working on, and she seems to be attempting to hide it from him, when the ruins wall explodes, causing Erin to fall back into Watts's arms before shoving herself out of them, the two then look over to see that the explosion was caused by Ash accidentally triggering a tripwire. She smiles and waves in an attempt to make the situation less embarrassing for her.
I want to live close to the sun
Camera switches to show Alison sitting on a beach chair and relaxing before waves come crashing in and ruin her clothes. She stands up with a huff and takes the beach chair further inland, but the same event happens, and she appears to let out a scream.
Well pack your bags, 'cause I've already won
Camera shifts up to reveal that Simon and Arnold both saw Alison's ordeal, and while Simon starts to snicker at it, Arnold begins to flamboyantly tell Simon off, and Simon plugs his ears and walks away with rolling eyes.
Everything to prove, nothing in my way, I'll get there one day
Camera shifts to Upper Ceol Fields, where Zaiyrin is seen showering Cherry with all manner of gifts and compliments, and Cherry somewhat scoffs at them before blushing with a smile once Zaiyrin leaves and heading over to Ellie to talk excitedly with her about it while Ellie is working on a costume.
'Cause I wanna be famous
Rashi and Phooko both see the events with Zaiyrin, Cherry, and Ellie, and quietly laugh to each other as they both tend to a small garden of growing plants, with Phooko's plants looking quite healthy, and Rashi's plants looking unnaturally perfect.
Na na nananana nanananana na nanananana
Camera shifts to the Glas Woods, where Raul and Vanessa are sketching each other with smiles. Camera first hovers over Raul's shoulder showing a brilliantly done sketch of Vanessa, then switches over to Vanessa's shoulder, where a sketch of Raul can be seen, but Vanessa needs to keep adding wolves to the sketch as they crowd around Raul like he's part of their pack.
I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous
Mark is playing music in Cailleach Bog, but immediately rolls out of the way of a falling tree, he looks over to see an almost seething Mirai, who turns to him and begins to smile sweetly as she begs him to play. Mark is a little nervous at first but as he begins to play, Mirai begins to cheer peacefully as the camera shifts to Lower Ceol Fields.
I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous
In Lower Ceol Fields, Donny and Gabriel are engaged in a rather heated argument, and Christa and Jenae both walk up to Donny and Gabriel respectively, Christa tries to comfort Donny, but he begins arguing with her instead. Meanwhile, Jenae begins to continue to argue with Gabriel, but he stops her when he notices she's moving her hand down his chest.
As the other contestants whistle the rest of the tune around the Tine Naofa Bonfire, Gran and Zaheen both attempt to make the fire grow larger. Upon Gran's attempt the fire blows up in his face, causing Zaheen to snicker as she pulls off the trick perfectly and the flames begin to form the season title: Total Drama Nialasach.
Location: Nialasach Ruins (Above Ground)
Contestant(s): Cherry, Watts
Eliminated: All Eliminated
Cherry and Watts, the Final Two, stepped off the dock and followed a torch-lit path towards the Nialasach Ruins while Olympic Fanfare and Theme played from set up stereo speakers.
As the walked down the path, they passed each eliminated contestant, in order.
Arnold, The Feminine Ball Buster.
"Heck yeah, you two!" He congratulated them. "Way to put that rich bitch in her place back in Final Four!"
Donny, The God Emperor.
"Hmph." He sniffed. "Not that impressive. I'd have gotten to the end more quickly." He tried to gloat, but only managed to make Cherry and Watts snicker to each other as they moved on.
Christa, The Selfless Mother.
"Falicidades!" She smiled at both of them. "You've both fought hard to be here. I can think of nobody more deserving!"
Ash, The Confident Klutz.
"Woohoo!" She cheered the two of them on. "I've gotta say, guess I've been really inspired by both of your games! Way to turn the bad luck that came your way into opportunities!"
Claude, The Sadistic Butler.
"A hearty congratulations to the two of you." He gave a polite bow. "If you ever need a house cleaned, including pests, feel free to call on me."
Neither Cherry nor Watts liked the way he said the word 'pests,' but accepted the congratulations nonetheless.
Jenae, The Dedicated Bruiser.
"You know," She sighed as she crossed her arms. "Neither of you would be my first choice for finalists but…" She smirked at both of them. "You made it to the end, so I gotta recognize that you've both got game. Good luck winning it to both of you."
Raul, The Silent Brawler.
"Good job." He managed to speak aloud as he held up a sign he'd created with a large "CONGRATULATIONS FINAL TWO!" written in all capital letters.
Simon, The Computer Whiz.
"About time we had the final two both be strategists." He smiled. "Congrats and good luck. You'll both need it."
Mark, The Dreamer Musician.
"The Day has come." He grinned at the two of them. "Tomorrow is within your grasps here. Good luck guys!"
Zaiyrin, The Incorrigible Chessmaster.
"Ah, my lovely Acrobat and the Fudo Mage! It is as I predicted since my unfortunate elimination. Not to worry, I've already thought up countless counters in order to defeat both of you next time! For now though, celebrations are in order for our finalists!"
Vanessa, The Shy Artist.
"Uh, congrats you guys!" She cheered nervously. "I know how hard you both must have fought to make it this far! No matter what happens, you should both be proud!"
Zaheen, The Illusionist.
"Impressive showing, darlings." She tipped her fedora and, with a flourish of her wrist, she produced two aces, one of hearts and one of spades. "I look forward to seeing which of you is more impressive."
Rashi, The Oracle.
"Great job, you two!" She jumped up and down excitedly. "You've weathered nature's most difficult obstacle: other people! Hahaha! Now go out there and give us a final challenge worthy of this great season!"
Erin, The Scientist.
"It appears as though the two I've underestimated are the final two." She smiled. "And somehow this happened without a script. Perhaps truth really is stranger than fiction. Good luck to you both, play hard, but play smart too. Earn that prize."
Aaron, The Skater Detective.
"I knew both of you would make it far, but it's still impressive that you're here at the end." He congratulated. "If it isn't me up there, I'm happy with you two as my replacements."
Gran, The Unlucky Magician.
"I'm honestly extremely impressed." He grinned. "I thought for sure Cherry was gonna go at Final 7, and I thought for sure Watts was gonna go at Final 6, but alliance forming and immunity winning came in clutch for you two! Can't wait to see who the ultimate victor here is!"
Ellie, The Bubbly-Cute Cosplayer.
"I'm so glad that the alliances I formed with the two of you stuck around and made that absolutely unstoppable force!" She beamed. "I can't think of a better pair of finalists, and I'm sure you'll both do me proud in the upcoming challenge!"
Mirai, The Two-Faced Warrior.
"You both fought like hell to make it to the final two." She smiled. "And that's what matters, but you also finally got rid of that bitch in perhaps the most perfect way possible! I can't possibly complain about either of you winning! Congratulations!"
Monica, The Loud and Proud Strategist.
"It seems like a more villainous game was never in the cards with the alliances you guys had going on for you. Kind of wish you'd clued me in on it so I could pivot, but I guess you had no way of knowing that I'd do that."
Phooko, The Innocent Smartass.
"You either stuck to your ideals devoutly the whole way through or found some that you can stand devoutly behind, and you've got massive props from me for that. I hope that one day I can be like either one of you."
Alison, The Filthy-Rich Chick.
"Whatever, go ahead and earn your pennies. Don't come crying to me when you waste them."
And…
Gabriel, The Politician's Son.
"Long time, no see, guys." He joked with a smile during his applause of them. "Give each other hell out there!"
Confessional: Cherry
"We're here at the end, Watts."
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Watts
"We're here at the end, Cherry."
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Cherry
"There's only one challenge left."
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Watts
"We just have one last challenge."
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Cherry
"And I'm not about to let my comeback end here."
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Watts
"And I'm not about to give up a 'perfect game' here."
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Cherry
"I will fight with everything I have."
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Watts
"I will bring my all to bear."
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Cherry
"And I will defeat the undefeated."
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Watts
"And I will defeat the undefeated."
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Cherry
"And prove to everyone watching…"
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Watts
"And prove to everyone watching…"
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Cherry
"That staying true to themselves can create miracles!"
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Watts
"That their ideal lives are within their grasp!"
Switch Confessionals
Confessional (Split Screen): Cherry & Watts
"As long as you fight for them like there's no tomorrow!"
End Confessionals
Cherry and Watts arrived at the entrance to the Nialasach Ruins, right where they had begun their very first challenge.
Waiting for them there was neither Chris nor Chef, but Zero Sum's runner-up.
Carys Leville had made it a point to dress in her main outfit from Zero Sum, a black tank top, exposing her midriff, and denim jeans. Her long brown hair framed her face, and her brown eyes scanned both Nialasach finalists as though she were a judge at some dog show.
Her red lips slowly, but evidently, curved into a smile.
"Impressive showing from both of you." She spoke. "I, in case either of you need an introduction, am Carys Leville. Runner-up of Total Drama Zero Sum. If you two are ready for your final challenge, please hand me your halves of the Final Medal."
Cherry and Watts nodded at each other, took out the halves of the Final Medal they each had been carrying, and handed them to Carys.
With a *click*, Carys snapped the two halves together, and tied the ribbon of each half together to form the Final Medal.
"This," she explained to them, "is the Final Medal, of the entirety of Total Drama Nialasach. And it goes to…the person who is holding it at the end of the day. Your arena…the ruins where you completed your very first challenge. As I recall, both of your teams had a pretty poor showing during that challenge. At least one of you is going to get to redeem yourself!"
"I have a question." Watts immediately shot up a hand.
"How does everyone else fit into this challenge?" Cherry asked the question Watts was going to. He motioned to signal that's what he was going to ask as well.
"Most finale challenges usually involve the eliminated contestants in some way, and even yours did so…"
"Oh, yes, that." Carys nodded. "As you have clearly surmised, you aren't being sent into the ruins alone. Everyone will be joining you…as part of your 'teams' for the challenge."
"The finale challenge…is a team challenge?" Cherry wondered.
"And why not?" Carys shrugged. "My finale challenge was a team challenge, after all."
"Do we…get to pick our teams?" Watts wondered.
"No, you do not." Carys shook her head. "The teams are decided by the eliminated contestants. They have considered exactly who they wish to support more, or they wish to defeat more, and have joined the appropriate team accordingly. Eliminated contestants, if you would?"
Arnold walked up to Cherry.
"Inari, represent." He grinned. "I wasn't too keen on you originally, but we've been getting to see some of the footage shot from recent challenges, plus you can't be all bad if you let me go after Donny back during the Final Five, so let's get you a million bucks, girl!"
Donny walked up to Cherry.
"Hmph." He sniffed. "I don't really think you have it in you to beat the other guy on your own, but I want everyone from that team to lose like the losers they are, so I guess for now, stay out of my way and I'll get you that million."
Christa walked up to Watts.
"I've been very impressed by both you and Gabriel from what I've seen of the two of you. I'll help in any way I can."
Ash walked up to Cherry.
"If it's between someone I know, and someone I don't, I'd rather it be someone I know. But more than that, the plays that you've gotten up to have been awesome! Especially managing to win that final 3 challenge first! And you just know I love to root for an underdog!"
Claude walked up to Cherry.
"You appear to me as a bit more pragmatic of an individual, though I must confess I am more prone to serving and aiding a mistress than I am a master as well. Regardless, my skills are at your disposal."
Jenae, begrudgingly, walked up to Watts.
"Don't take this as me trying to be supportive or buddy-buddy with you. I'm just saying that if I have to lose this game, I'll be damned if a Fudo isn't the winner after three of you made it to the final four."
Raul walked up to Watts. He scribbled his thoughts down on a note and handed it over.
"I don't know you or Cherry all that well, but the fighting you did in the Final 3 challenge was incredible. I'd love to lend my strength to yours and fight alongside you."
Simon walked up to Watts.
"Nerds unite! But more seriously, I'd love to see if we can make history and have someone play a 'perfect game' on Total Drama. To my knowledge, it's never been done before."
Mark walked up to Watts.
"We've had our differences towards the end of my time on the show, but I'm still definitely pulling for you to win, bro, and I promise that I won't be throwing in the towel during this challenge. Too much is at stake."
Zaiyrin walked up to Cherry and embraced her.
"Ah, my beautiful strategic genius of a paramour! You have done nothing but kindle the flames of my affection since I so ungracefully left the scene of this game. Now though, allow me to put my brilliance to use and concoct us a surefire winning strategy!"
Vanessa walked up to Watts.
"I figured since I interacted with you, I'd support you. I'd like to be able to say that I was on a team with the winner of this season at least once."
Zaheen walked up to Cherry.
"You didn't just fly under the radar during that merge darling, you soared. You really must teach me some of those illusions. In repayment, I'll offer your my own services to win you that million dollars!"
Rashi walked up to Watts.
"There has been like nonstop talk about how absolutely hard the two of you are both fighting, but man, after that semifinal, I think I'm ready to throw my lot in with you, dude! Here's to becoming a millionaire!"
Erin walked up to Watts.
"You're probably wondering how you're going to pull off this win." She grinned. "Luckily for you, you've made an ally in me, so you need to wonder no longer. After all, anything is possible…as long as there's a genius at the helm."
Aaron walked up to Cherry.
"Powers of deduction that rival even my own, how can I not support you after what I've seen you get up to for basically the entirety of the merge? You may rest assured that I will do all in my power to aid in your victory."
Gran, with a hesitant nervousness, walked up to Cherry.
"Look…we don't exactly get along very well, but well, when all was said and done at the end there, we had managed to find a way to work together at least somewhat tolerably. Just, don't make me regret supporting you in this alright? You have to win now, otherwise I'm going to hold it against you!"
Ellie, incredibly eagerly in contrast to Gran, rushed to Cherry's side.
"OhmygoshCherryyoudiiiiiiiidiiiiiiiitt!" She hugged her friend tightly and jumped up and down. "And now all that's left for us to do is finish off just one last Fudo! We've got this!"
Mirai walked up to Watts.
"I wouldn't be so sure if I were them." She grinned. "After all, you have me to help you out! Besides, I can't go against you after our promise not to vote against each other. This is somewhat of a jury vote too, you know?"
Monica walked up to Cherry.
"It seemed clear based on these last few episodes that neither of you had any intention of working with me, but since you at least kept up the appearance that you might, I can only assume that you are the better social player. After all, the only time you ever needed immunity was the last challenge, and you earned it. If I had to choose a winner, I'd rather it be you."
Phooko walked up to Watts.
"You and I have both had things that we had just…assumed, come crashing down around us, but unlike me, who would keep pivoting to maintain what I see now was a high horse that I refused to dismount, you found something genuine to hold onto and rebuild yourself with, even if it took some help. You managed to play the game I wanted to play but failed to, so now, with everything said and done, I want to help you succeed."
Alison walked up to Cherry.
"I despise both of you, almost passionately, I might add, but I certainly despise Fudo more than I do some circus girl with a chip on her shoulder, so congratulations to you, Frenchie. You've made, at least temporarily, a British ally."
And finally, Gabriel walked up to Watts.
"You know, as Father once said, 'a good leader can make a team work together, but a great leader has their team's complete trust.' And for this last fight, that is definitely true of you and me. One last fight ahead of us." He held up a fist. "And this time we fight as partners."
"Always glad to have you aboard." Watts returned the fist bump.
"Oh, this has worked out very well." Carys looked over the teams.
Supporting Cherry: Arnold, Donny, Ash, Claude, Zaiyrin, Zaheen, Aaron, Gran, Ellie, Monica, Alison
Supporting Watts: Christa, Jenae, Raul, Simon, Mark, Vanessa, Rashi, Erin, Mirai, Phooko, Gabriel
"Not only are the teams both even teams of 12, but the teams are even in gender ratio too! It's almost eerie how perfectly split down the middle everyone is!"
Confessional: Cherry
"You know…now that she mentions it…"
Switch Confessionals
Confessional: Watts
"Yeah, honestly that's…I don't normally expect something like that…"
End Confessionals
"Now then, onto the specifics of this challenge." Carys announced. "You will all be heading into the Nialasach Ruins. Cherry, since you won the Final 3 challenge, your team will begin with the Final Medal. Watts, your team will start the challenge on offense. The rules are very, very simple.
However you can, take the medal from an opposing team member. Once the medal leaves the hands of an eliminated contestant, they are removed from the challenge. This means passing it between teammates is only advised if it would otherwise fall into the hands of the opponent. The finalists cannot be removed from the challenge and can hand off the medal to their teammates at will. Whichever team is in possession of the medal when time runs out will be crowned the winner, and the finalist that team represents will earn the title of Winner of Total Drama Nialasach, and the million dollars that goes with it. Very simple challenge, right? Nothing too complicated, just a straightforward team deathmatch combined with keepaway."
Confessional: Cherry
"It is quite straightforward, yes, just like I am. Back home, I've always had to wear that stupid happy performer's smile, but here I've been allowed to let loose and be myself for a change. I need to show the other kids raised with those kinds of familial expectations on their shoulders that they can be themselves too!"
End Confessional
Confessional: Watts
"Straightforward, yes indeed. I enjoy it when things are straightforward. There is, ironically, more room for creativity and knowledge in these sorts of challenges than in the more complex ones. And I have a personal stake in this too. I've spent the whole season being called a nerd, sometimes as an insult, sometimes as a term of endearment, and I certainly will readily admit that I am one…but back home, I'm a nobody always stuck in the shadows…I'm tired of being held back. It's time to show the world what nerds can do!"
End Confessional
Challenge: The Final Medal
Rules: Teams will enter into the Nialasach Ruins for a modified game of Keep Away involving the Final Medal. The Finalist whose team is holding the medal at the end of the challenge will be crowned the Winner of Total Drama Nialasach.
Stipulation 1: If the medal leaves the hands of an eliminated helper, that eliminated helper is out of the challenge, so for the eliminated helpers, passing the medal to a teammate should be a last resort to avoid the medal being taken by the opposing side.
Stipulation 2: The finalists are considered the captains of their teams and cannot be removed from the challenge. They will both be active until the time limit expires.
Stipulation 3: Any method may be used to try and take the medal from the opposing side so long as it is legal.
Stipulation 4: Because they were the first to complete the Final 3 challenge, Cherry's team will begin with the medal in their possession. Watts's team will begin playing offense.
Stipulation 5: The defending team will be afforded a small amount of time on their own in the ruins before the offensive team may follow them in at the start of the challenge proper.
Location: The Nialasach Ruins (Underground)
Contestant(s): All Remaining
"Alright, which one of you wants to be the first one to hold this?" Cherry asked as she held out the Final Medal.
Confessional: Cherry
"The core of this challenge is a fight between Watts and I for this medal. As such, I would prefer not to engage directly with anyone other than him. To that end, I want all of his helpers eliminated from the challenge. If that comes at the price of my own also being eliminated from the challenge, I still find it acceptable. I believe I can defeat Watts in a competition of strength. To that end, my one and only goal will be to find and shadow him without his knowledge for the duration of the challenge. This requires me to stay behind at the entrance, and I would rather not risk the medal so quickly. After all, if one of my own happens to hold onto it until that timer runs out, that would be quite the happy coincidence."
End Confessional
"Give it to me, coach!" Arnold's hand shot up.
"No, not him, give it to me!" Donny sniffed.
"I'm not trusting someone who doesn't even actually support me with the medal." Cherry rolled her eyes at Donny. "The roaster can have it. He proved an effective enough ally during the Final Five challenge."
Cherry tossed the medal to Arnold.
"Yes!" Arnold caught it and turned to head further into the ruins only to be tackled from behind by Donny, dropping the medal immediately.
Donny quickly picked it up.
"And now it looks like you have to rely on me." He gloated.
"What the fuck!?" Arnold stood up. "Your ass is so lucky that we're on the same team right now, otherwise you'd be in for a repeat of what happened during the Final Five!"
"Donny, you goddamn fucking idiot!" Gran shouted. "You've already cost us a player in this challenge, and let's be real, you're just going to cost us you too if you go out there alone with no plan."
"Pfft, I have a plan, okay? It's a great plan, because I'm the greatest. See, unlike the rest of you, I know how to win, okay? So I'm gonna go out there, and win greatly, and it'll be a great win."
Confessional: Cherry
"Island gods help me."
End Confessional
Shift Camera Focus
Donny had been holding the medal for a while now as he meandered around the ruins.
He thought he heard something from behind him and turned around only to see no one.
Not wanting to discount that they were just hiding around a corner, he moved in the direction of the noise he'd heard, and as soon as he turned around the corner, Christa had snatched the medal out of his hand.
"Hahaaaa!" She giggled as she ran away. "You fell for mankind's second counterstrategy!"
Confessional: Watts
"So, for my part, I've set up camp near the entrance. I have a small army of people to throw at Cherry's team, and once I'm sure the last of them is gone, and I will be, they'll all come back this way eventually, and I'll get a move on. If Cherry plays the way I expect her to, then this is perhaps the best counterstrategy I have."
End Confessional
Shift Camera Focus
Christa made sure to stay on the move, as stealthily as she could, in order to avoid being noticed by anyone on Cherry's team.
Unfortunately for her, this strategy was about to backfire terribly.
*CRASH*
Ash, running full speed ahead and not noticing Christa at all, rammed into her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, are you okay?" Ash helped Christa to her feet.
"I'm fine, thank you." Christa nodded, grateful for the help, before realizing that she had dropped the medal in the crash. "Oh…whelp…"
"Oh…" Ash noted the medal. "Uh, again, really sorry. I was actually looking for Donny to take the medal from him, but it looks like you did that already."
"Hahaha!" Christa giggled. "You've definitely got your priorities straight, Ash. I like people like you."
"Heehee…" Ash laughed bashfully. "Well that's nice to hear! I like people like you too! Very understanding!"
"Of course." Christa smiled. "But now I must be off. The medal has left my hands after all."
Shift Camera Focus
"Oh, that walking disaster from Inari has it?!" Jenae nearly laughed as she noticed Ash with the medal. "Alright then, this'll be a piece of cake!" She rushed forward.
"Haahhh!" Ash surprised Jenae by also rushing forward, making use of her own bad luck by tripping and turning into a somersault as she rolled passed her attacker.
"What the-?!" Jenae spun around with a pivot.
"Hah, it worked!" Ash cheered as she started sprinting away, knowing she had only bought limited time. She searched the ruins for someone, anyone, from her own team.
"I'm gaining on you, fox!" Jenae warned as she was indeed gaining on Ash. "And you won't like what happens if you still have that medal when I catch you!"
"I know!" Ash replied with a grin as she found someone she was looking for. "But I've tired you out, haven't I?"
Jenae lunged at Ash who managed to dodge and then she tossed the medal to Claude, who noticed it out of the corner of his eye and caught it with one hand.
"Excellent play, Ash of Inari." Claude nodded with a smile as he took off.
"Dammit!" Jenae hit the ground before getting up and running after Claude.
"Nice." Ash thought to herself. "I've always wanted to defeat a villainous contestant like that. Shame it took this long for that to happen, but no one can say that I wasn't absolutely great just then."
Shift Camera Focus
Jenae and Claude were engaged in a small hand-to-hand sparring match as the former continuously tried to take the medal from the latter. "Alright, I've had about enough of this." Jenae announced a time out from the spar. "Can't you just hand the medal over?"
"That would hardly be proper." Claude responded matter-of-factly. "I should not be derelict in my duties to my team."
"But what about the people on our team?" Jenae pointed out. "Surely Christa is someone you'd consider an ideal mistress to serve, right? She's on this side."
"Hm…" Claude thought about it.
While he was thinking, Jenae quickly kicked him in the shin and grabbed the medal as he dropped it.
"Anything goes, butler boy!" She laughed as she ran off.
Shift Camera Focus
"It is time." Zaiyrin snickered. "To deal a decisive blow to the forces of the Fudo Mage!"
"Big talk from…" Jenae stopped herself from just saying 'a nerd' realizing that wasn't going to be considered much of an insult to Zaiyrin. "Just one person."
"Indeed I am just one person." Zaiyrin got low to the ground. "But there is nothing my strategies haven't prevailed in. I'm level 100, and no one is my equal."
"Now, that's just…you realize you got eliminated, right?"
"Ah, but who is in the finale right now? Oh, why look at that, my girlfriend. I pick the best of the best, Fudo Brawler, and now I aim to make sure everyone knows it!" He rushed forwards.
Jenae went to counter his reach, but he quickly slid behind her and swept her with his leg.
"Gah, no!" She noticed the medal leave her hands.
Almost immediately, a large shadow rushed towards the medal and picked it up.
Raul gave Jenae a nod and rushed off, Zaiyrin sprinting after him.
Shift Camera Focus
Raul didn't have much time to think about what to do, Zaiyrin was low to the ground and putting all his energy into the sprint, catching up to Raul incredibly quickly. He couldn't exactly call anyone for help though, thanks to his injury, so he needed, unfortunately, to hand the medal over to someone else.
Aha! There he was!
Raul tossed the medal as high as he could, it hit a stalactite and alerted its intended recipient to its presence.
Simon caught the medal and noticed Zairyin.
"GAH!" He took off at a sprint as well. Zaiyrin did not even stop to breathe as he changed his quarry from Raul to Simon.
Shift Camera Focus
"Oh nooo…" Simon noticed his one opening as Zaiyrin began to catch up to him.
Mark.
He contemplated for a brief second whether he should just hand Zaiyrin the medal now, but determined that wasn't exactly going to help their team much.
"Oh yes, Hayaji Artificer!" Zaiyrin taunted. "Will you pass it to the Bard or will you surrender it to me?"
"I really don't like either of these options." Simon mumbled under his breath. "But there is one that is clearly worse for our team than the other so…"
He took a large breath.
"MARK! HEADS UP!"
"I'm open!" Mark announced, almost immediately putting Simon's heart at ease for the decision he had made.
The medal soared through the air and into Mark's hands, and the man immediately took off through a rocky passageway that Zaiyrin would need to slow down to traverse without major injury.
"Oh thank the island gods he really isn't going to give up." Simon sat against the wall of the ruins for a bit to catch his breath before he left.
Shift Camera Focus
It had been perhaps a full two hours where Mark had managed to keep a hold of the medal. And with that came an unfortunate side effect.
Mark had been running for two hours and was at his limit when it came to energy.
Zaiyrin, who had needed to slow down in his pursuit, however, had managed to regain some of his own spent energy.
Mark didn't see him approaching, and while when he did notice the sound of footsteps, he tried to run further away, Zaiyrin had managed to grab his ankle, causing the musician to trip and drop the medal.
Zaiyrin picked it up, confidently.
"Ah, and what a decisive blow to your troop numbers." He grinned. "Now it is my beloved who holds the greater force-"
"Yoink." Vanessa had snuck up behind Zaiyrin while he gloated to Mark and yoinked the medal away from him.
"All tied up now!" She smiled.
Shift Camera Focus
Vanessa shuffled her way quietly through the ruins.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but that kind of bothered her.
Surely someone must be around.
And someone was.
Zaheen was.
Hiding her steps to be just in time with Vanessa's.
Keeping herself permanently in Vanessa's blind spot.
And making use of her sleight of hand, she managed to stealthily slip the medal away from Vanessa's grasp.
Vanessa noticed Zaheen's fedora go around the corner when she realized the medal was missing.
"If only we could have stayed on that second Ebisu together." She smiled. "Well played, Zaheen."
"And you as well darling!" Zaheen's voice responded as a soft echo.
Shift Camera Focus
Zaheen moved silently through the ruins, but soon found herself face to face with Rashi in a room overgrown with moss and fungi.
"Oh, this…is not ideal darling." Zaheen pinched her nose to avoid the dank smell.
"For you, it certainly is not." Rashi grinned as she rushed forwards and very quickly took the medal out of Zaheen's hands.
"I suggest you get a move on, darling." Zaheen warned politely. "I intend to let whomever I see know of your present location."
Shift Camera Focus
"There she is!" Rashi announced as she found Erin. "Is everything set up?"
"I believe so." Erin nodded. "Are you ready?" She turned her head over to Mirai.
"Oh, I am so ready." Mirai cracked her knuckles.
"Alright then…" Rashi purposefully handed the medal off to Erin. "Here goes."
Surely enough, Aaron, Gran, and Ellie found their way into the area where Erin and Mirai had set up shop.
"The medal!" Gran pointed at Erin's hands.
"Dogpile time!" Aaron announced as the three worked as a trio to rush Erin.
"Now!" Erin ordered as she tossed the medal towards the crowd.
"Hiiiyah!" Mirai rushed into all of them from the side.
The medal bounced off of Aaron's, Gran's, and Ellie's hands in turn before Mirai picked it up from the ground.
"Woohoooooo~!" She cheered. "Hattrick, Erin! Way to go!"
"You've…got to be kidding me…" Aaron sighed.
"I really wanted to be of more use…" Ellie was similarly disappointed. "But I know Cherry can pull through."
"Yeah, we'll see about that!" Mirai waved everyone off as she walked further into the ruins.
Shift Camera Focus
Monica was fast to find Mirai and chased her through the ruins until Mirai arrived at a chilly dead end.
"Hand over the medal before this becomes embarrassing for you." She warned.
"Embarrassing for me?" Mirai held back a laugh. "After everything else that's happened to me on this show? I don't think so. In fact, it would be more embarrassing if I just handed over the medal. Nah, you can only have it if you pry it from me, and good luck doing that! I have the superior muscle."
"You do indeed." Monica softly laughed. "And that's why…I've chased you into this particular dead end. Surely, you've noticed that it's gotten colder, right?"
"I don't see how that's a problem. It makes my muscles more tense, so I'll be gripping onto the medal even harder."
"In theory." Monica nodded. "But in practice…your muscles have undergone a sudden and rather dramatic shift in temperature. Do you know what they usually do when that happens? They convulse a bit. Not much mind you, but just enough to…"
"NO!" Mirai shouted as the medal fell from her suddenly shaky grip.
"I did warn you." Monica made a point to mention as she took the medal and walked on her way.
Shift Camera Focus
It had been many hours since the start of the challenge, and at least one hour since Monica had taken the medal. As she approached the next room in her path, she felt a sense of great foreboding.
A sense that turned out to be accurate, as inside the room were Phooko, Alison, and Gabriel, all prepared for what was to occur.
Phooko was quick to pounce towards Monica, who only managed to dodge out of the way just barely.
Alison tried desperately to be open for a pass, but Gabriel kept her blocked.
These eliminated contestants knew that there wasn't that much time left in the competition, and so the battle for the Final Medal was becoming that much more intense and dire.
"Just toss it!" Alison ordered. "I can take these two easily!"
"I'm not about to just let go of it while I already have it!" Monica refused. "Why complicate this any further than you already have by leading these two here?"
"She didn't lead us here." Phooko shook his head. "She was already here when we got here."
"So there you have it." Alison huffed. "I've been holding them off this whole time. You're welcome."
"Some job you're doing of it right now!" Monica snarked as she tried, increasingly desperately, to keep the medal away from Phooko.
"Well, you've gone and upset me, now." Alison crossed her arms. "Not sure why I should bother, really."
"Because otherwise, we'll lose!" Monica stated the obvious.
"Got it!" Phooko managed to snag the medal away from Monica.
"Oh, please." Alison rolled her eyes as she stomped down hard on Gabriel's foot with her heel.
"OWWWW!" As Gabriel doubled over from the sudden pain, Alison kicked the medal out of Phooko's hand and caught it in her own.
"There." She rolled her eyes at Monica. "I trust now that- OWWWW!"
Gabriel had retaliated by yanking Alison's hair.
"You'll PAY for that!" She warned, but Gabriel pointed at the medal she had already dropped on the ground.
"You should probably consider shorter hair if you want to get rid of such a glaring weakness." He suggested as he picked up the medal. "You should probably go find Cherry and tell her that it's all up to her now."
As everyone cleared out of the room, Gabriel thought to himself for a moment.
"There isn't actually that much time left though, is there…If, somehow, I'm not able to hold onto it…I'm not sure Watts would have enough time to grab it back. Alright then…No one is around so…"
Gabriel carefully hid the Final Medal behind some rocks. "Time to tell Watts where it is."
Shift Camera Focus
Watts, having been apprised of the situation by a whisper from Gabriel on his way out, hurried into the room where the medal was supposedly located.
"Well, this is unfortunate." Cherry, who had been shadowing him, noted as she dropped down from the wall she was clinging onto. "Your politician friend has hidden it from immediate view."
"Well, the sooner we find it, the sooner we can fight over it." Watts shrugged as he searched the room.
Cherry did no such searching.
She stood behind Watts.
"Not keen on helping this time?" He asked.
"Why would I? You could easily find it and run away without telling me." She answered.
"Ah, but you could do the same, you see." Watts noted.
"I could, very easily, should I find it first." Cherry admitted. "But I will not because that is not who I am. You have been an ally to me since the halfway point of this game, and while I do intend to abscond with the medal as soon as you find it, I intend for us both to be aware of the situation we're in. My win will mean nothing if I earn it through a cheap trick. I'm sure you feel the same way."
"I suppose I do." Watts admitted. "I've been playing a game fully my own only since the merge, but I've been having much more fun of a time with it than when I was trying desperately to emulate past players. I wouldn't want my win to be brought about by running away from my opponent like a coward. If you weren't looming over me right now, I'd probably shout to you if I found the medal before I tried to keep away from you. But I also plan to leave this area as soon as I find the medal. Speaking of…"
Watts managed to unearth the Final Medal. "I've got it!" He announced before Cherry quickly yanked it out of his hand by its ribbon.
"I've got it!" She announced back at him with a snarky grin before she left through an exit and Watts followed quickly on her heels.
The pair traded the amulet back and forth, or rather stole it from each other, as they made their way to one incredibly large room in the ruins.
"What is this?" Watts wondered while Cherry snatched the medal.
"It looks like it would've housed one of those machines where we chose our teams luxuries during the first challenge." Cherry answered while Watts snatched the medal
The two continued to grapple and fight over the medal as they made their way into the center of the room.
At which point, both players fighting over the medal at near lightning speeds, paused at the sound of a buzzer. The medal dropped to the ground as their attention was occupied by this unexpected event.
"Was that the end of the challenge?" Cherry wondered.
"I don't think so." Watts shook his head. "I've been keeping track mentally. We should still have a minute or two left so…"
"Oh…" Victor's voice echoed through a speaker. "You found the dud room."
"It's that man from the first challenge!" Cherry identified.
"Victor…wait…" Watts realized. "Does that mean one of his traps was still active this whole time?"
"Perhaps no one came back here… during the first challenge." Cherry rationalized. "So it was never cleared of traps?"
"Well, you shouldn't come all this way for no reason." Victor's voiced played. "I suppose it's only right you receive a punishment. Don't worry, it won't do much damage to you, but it will probably hurt."
Watts and Cherry both noticed the ground below them began to glow an uncomfortable red.
They both dove toward and tugged at and pulled on the medal with all their might. A small explosion was imminent, and whoever ended up with the medal after it went off, well…
"10 seconds!" Carys's voice called down.
Beep.
Cherry pulled with all her strength.
Watts pulled with all his strength.
"7 seconds!"
Beeeep.
Cherry put her entire body into it.
Watts put his entire body into it.
"5 seconds!"
BEEEEEEEEEEEP.
"GAHHHHHHHHH!" Cherry yelled as she dug deep into her heart and soul.
"GAHHHHHHHHH!" Watts yelled as he dug deep into his heart and soul.
"4…3…"
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
The two contestants went flying.
"2….1…"
A cloud of dust filled with ruin room.
"ZERO!" Carys's voice announced. "And watching the live feed…the player holding the Final Medal is…"
The dust slowly
But very surely
But oh so very slowly
Began to clear out and settle on the ground
Revealing for everyone watching the live feed the state of affairs.
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…Medal's left half was Cherry. Meanwhile, Watts held the right half. The two halves of the Final Medal had come undone when the blast sent the finalists in opposite directions.
"What…what does this mean?" Gabriel wondered.
"Hmph." Carys laughed through closed lips. "It means…a miracle has occurred."
"A miracle?" Ellie asked.
"The challenge rules were very clear." Carys noted. "Whoever was holding the Final Medal would be crowned the winner. There is only one way to interpret this outcome."
Carys cleared her throat.
Her voice, like the cool breeze flowing through the ruins, shook Cherry and Watts from their stupor.
"Congratulations, Cherise Blanchet, James Watkins, for the first time in Total Drama history, you are both victorious."
"We…" Cherry groggily rose.
"Both are?" Watts did the same.
Then they noticed the two halves of the Final Medal, one in each of their hands.
Their eyes widened in shock, and as they confirmed the situation with each other, their grins grew wider and wider.
"Attention!" Chris's voice could be heard over the loudspeakers. "Will our two new millionaires please report to the Tine Naofa Bonfire Pit?"
Confessional: Chris
"Oh man, oh man, this is great! Imagine the ratings! The chances of this happening were like… 1 in a million!"
End Confessional
Location: Tine Naofa Bonfire Pit (Coronation Ceremony)
Current Winner(s): Cherry, Watts
Previous Winner: Kaede
"It's so nice to see you guys again!" Kaede, dressed in her recognizable kimono, greeted Watts and Cherry fondly. Behind her was a hot air balloon, a basket door open for them. She motioned for them to get in. "Please accept this humble honor from me, for managing to make it this far. You've defeated not only everyone else in the game, but you broke the final challenge, and managed to earn yourselves a title normally reserved only for one. I have prepared this ride for you, and a song to go along with it. Shall we?"
"Ladies first." Watts helped Cherry and Kaede onto the balloon basket before getting on himself.
"Where are we going?" Cherry wondered.
"Just around the island." Kaede smiled. "Now then…"
She began to play the instrumental music to her impending performance as the balloon lifted off.
Cherry and Watts could see all the eliminated contestants waving and cheering happily at them as their balloon rose higher into the air.
And in this moment of celebratory bliss, Kaede began to sing, the lyrics to the tune of "Flow" from FFXIV
"Welcome, and well-met. My brave successors.
How long you've both fought. You've burned bright as stars.
Oh, I've long awaited you patiently…all this time.
Past every vote.
Now speak with me once more…
Share of your game.
Far greater than strategy
Is trust when resolve cannot hold.
Boundless your tale overflows.
And carries your light here to me."
The balloon began to pass over the Cloch Mountain Range.
"Remember this game, the laughs that you've loved.
You'd fumble and fall, but still you got up.
And how as time flowed on your motives
Became one, and it won you the game.
Reaching for the horizon and far beyond.
You'll carry onward, however changed,
With each self-reflection.
Through Killer Waves, Screaming Winds…
Violent Quakes and Raging Flames…"
The balloon passed over the Glas Woods.
"Flying higher and higher in sky's embrace.
A kindled flame keeps our balloon aloft.
Should you yet play again on Total Drama,
With all of my heart I shall wish you well."
The balloon passed over the Cailleach Bog.
"All throughout this game.
I have heard your voice.
Seen your every choice.
Now your hands join round the meaning you sought.
I have known your tears.
You quench them with joy, to your devotion.
Where in time all shall as hope be reborn, ahhh."
The balloon passed over the Ceol Fields.
"Now, please, close your eyes.
Let them sleep all blind, bathed in the sun's light.
And if you start to dream, just drift off!
Though you might sleep,
The winds rise again, for your journeys' end,
Is but one step forward to tomorrow."
The balloon passed over the Neart Highlands and into the Ionad Desert as its journey began to end. As the music started to die down, Kaede stopped singing, instead she spoke, even as Watts and Cherry, tired and bruised from all that had transpired, began to drift off into much needed sleep.
"In just this one moment, we meet and we go." She spoke softly, with nothing but affection for those with whom she now shared a title with.
"Ever moving, towards the unknown. And in that fleeing moment, we wonder about who we meet."
The camera shifted to where the eliminated contestants and Carys were looking at the balloon.
"Where have they come from?" The camera focused on Carys.
"Why are they here?" The camera focused on Ellie, Gabriel, and Monica.
"Where are they going?" The camera focused on Zaiyrin, Erin, and Alison.
The camera then focused on a nearly fully asleep Cherry and Watts.
"I am just like the two of you, only slightly further along on my journey."
The camera focused on the balloon, alone in the clear blue skies. Meanwhile, on the land below, the eliminated contestants are burning all of the camp luxuries in the bonfire pit.
"But right here, right now, this moment, is timeless."
The camera focused solely on Cherry. "Let it be your strength should strength ever leave you."
The camera focused solely on Watts. "And let it be your light, should darkness descend."
The camera then showed the scene as it was, Kaede holding the two halves of the Final Medal, their ribbons now tied around themselves to create two lesser Final Medals. "I name you both the Winners." She spoke as she placed them around the neck of each now sleeping contestant.
"Of Total Drama Nialasach."
The camera zooms out, one last time, and fades slowly, from top to bottom, as the curtain descends on the season of Total Drama Nialasach.
*Cherry's AND Watts's Final Confessional:
"We broke the finale." Cherry laughed.
"I know, it's so amazing!" Watts laughed along.
"Hey, congrats on the 'perfect' game!" Cherry nudged Watts in the shoulder.
"Hey, I'm not the one with the greatest comeback in Total Drama history!" Watts returned a playful nudge.
"It's definitely nice, to be able to share this moment with someone else." Cherry admitted. "I'm glad to have met you."
"I'm glad to have met you too." Watts smiled. "And hey, if…wherever you end up, you get tired and need a break, my door will always be open."
"I'll take you up on that offer, but only if I can bring my own friends that I've made here along."
"Of course. Gabriel will probably be there too!" Watts laughed. "But damn, it still feels so surreal."
"Yeah, I agree." Cherry nodded. "It's…going to take some getting used to, but, well…"
She turned and gave Watts perhaps her widest, most sincere smile.
"I had a lot of fun playing this game! Did you?"
Watts could hardly fight back the tears of happiness but somehow he managed it as he closed his eyes and returned the widest, most sincere smile.
"Of course! I had so much fun! Let's play again some time!"
End Confessional*
AN1: Okay, standard questions for the readers first and then the super goddamn long winner analyses second. Cool? Cool.
1: Who would you say was the greatest male hero of the season? What about the greatest female hero?
2: Who would you sway was the greatest male villain of the season? What about the greatest female villain?
3: Who were some of your favorite characters this season? Give me a favorite male and a favorite female if you can, or around 3-5 of each gender if you're having difficulty deciding!
4: Are there any characters that you want to see come back for another shot at the million dollars?
5: Who were some of your favorite pairs to see interacting (either romantically or just in general)?
6: Who would you say deserves a "Play of the Game" reward and for what play?
7: And finally, who would you grant the title "Player of the Season" to?
I look forward to seeing all your answers!
AN2: It has been such an honor that you've joined me on this journey. I will freely admit that I'm a little nervous about this particular outcome but YOU GUYS DON'T UNDERSTAND THEY JUST KEPT TIEING WITH EACH OTHER! IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE WE WERE JUST LIKE, OKAY BUT WHAT IF THIS MEANS THEY BOTH WIN?
And I think it works really REALLY well based on the narratives that the story has been setting up. ESPECIALLY if we consider that this fic is, surprise surprise, meant to be an homage to Zero Sum, where while there is a single canon winner, the prize money is in fact split, effectively making that distinction meaningless.
Anyways…before I get into anything else, I have TWO WINNERS that I need to analyze.
I think I'll do something a bit different and do them both at once.
Cherry: Cherry was very quickly one of my favorite submissions for this fic, and I didn't expect her to make it as far as she did, but I couldn't be happier. I LOVE snarky assholes with hearts of gold and that was Cherry to a T. I think, funnily enough, despite Hubert being an idol of Watts's, Cherry was the closest to him in terms of personality and playstyle. She was sneaky when she needed to be, but was mostly pragmatic and made a habit of kicking those she considered villainous down a peg whenever she could. Whenever she was in a bad position, she was incredibly quick to find a way out of it, and it's very impressive that she managed to succeed in her gambit of just 'win the final 3 challenge'. It's a bold strategy but it clearly worked in her favor. I'm so glad to have been able to write her for all this time.
Watts: Watts was a character who was almost always destined to make a deep run, but this is the first time that someone with so much 'main character' potential has actually managed to win one of my fic seasons, so I'm very impressed with his showing. That Final 6 immunity just REALLY comes in clutch for him. I knew, going into it, that I wanted his arc to be about overcoming his desire to imitate and finding his own game, and I'm glad that he was rewarded with that arc by becoming the first ever player on Total Drama to play a 'perfect' game. Even if we ALL can see that his time getting here was anything but 'perfect'. Poor guy got put through the wringer a couple times. But he never let it stop him, and he's here now. I'm also so glad to have been able to write him for all this time.
For those wondering, Cherry's alignment was: Lawful Neutral (LN)
For those wondering, Watt's alignment was: Chaotic Good (CG)
I feel like I need to explain neither one of these. We have an entire fic sort of dedicated to it, y'know?
Having studied her actions throughout the season, Cherry receives the title of: Hero
Having studied his actions throughout the season, Watts receives the title of: Hero
NOW HEAR ME OUT! HEAR ME OUT!
Okay, we all know why Watts gets the label, so we don't really need to go into him too much, but Cherry? Why?
Well, I'll tell you.
Cherry has, as far as I can see, one truly villainous moment in her game. It was throwing Zairyin under the bus during the dance challenge because he wasn't throwing it for her.
This is a villainous thing, but her negativity besides that comes solely from her insults, which are always directed at two major groups of people: The villains, and people who are overconfident. The reason Cherry and Gran don't get along so much is because Cherry does not like how boastful and cocky Gran can be when, in reality, he's really unlucky and relatively unskilled. She prizes her frankness and honesty and generally doesn't lie. She is incredibly loyal to her actual allies in the game as well, and as the game went on, Cherry got to the point where she just flat out refused to eliminate Gabriel or Watts because she'd finally found people that didn't seem two-faced to her. All of this to say, in a nutshell, that Cherry is the quintessential Anti-Hero. And Antiheroes are still heroes. We still root for them to achieve their goals. We still cheer for them against their opponents. The only thing they lack are traditional heroic qualities. "But isn't that more neutral?" You might reasonably ask. And perhaps. I can see the argument. But in that case, I'd like to bring up Monica.
Monica and Cherry are two sides of a very interesting coin here. I think the biggest objection to Cherry being seen as a hero is that her motives were almost always pragmatic and not some kind of ideal. To that I say, yes, but Monica's motives were heroic and idealized, but her game was villainous. Cherry is the other way around. And, as a bit of an aside…in reality, being a good friend and ally is often more pragmatic than backstabbing and burning bridges. And Cherry was a good friend and ally, for the most part. Again we can point to the scene with Zaiyrin in the dance challenge as a deviation, but I don't think a single deviation should color a person's game. Similarly, I would classify Monica as an Anti-Villain. She definitely didn't want to play the game she did, but she did it anyways because she thought it was the only way she'd win. At least, with Cherry, she intended to play the game she played. She intended for these outcomes that favored the heroic players, even if she viewed it as more pragmatic for her own game, and I think that intent carries weight.
Best Moments:
Cherry's Best Moment: I am taken far back in time, to the very first episode. Specifically the second half of it, where the challenge takes place. Zaiyrin has just unilaterally chosen 'Towels' as a team luxury, to the chagrin of most of his team. As he defends his choice, he lists of various non-towel things they can be used for, and then Cherry quips in "We could even use them as towels." This is the moment that both Zaiyrin and I absolutely fell in love with this character, and I'm sure there are better moments further in the season with her, but that one really is my favorite. Cherry at her snarkiest, before she even knows any of these people.
Watt's Best Moment: Watts had a lot of standout moments throughout the season, and it's very hard for me to choose which one his best is, but I really want to give it to his climbing of the mountain in the Final 6. It was a really important challenge for him to win, and he won it by taking inspiration from the friends he'd made on the season, not any previous player. It was a glorious way to showcase that yes, his perspective truly has changed, and he's a more threatening player for it. It also absolutely helps that it comes on the heals of a bit of dip back into that player stuck in Zero Sum, because the only reason he needs immunity is because he was so convinced Alison couldn't be let into the final 5 that he openly tried to get people to agree to vote her out, which worked about as horribly as you'd expect that to go. But yeah, I really liked that moment in particular. Honorable mention to him fighting and defeating Hubert to hammer own that he's truly moved passed his old self.
But that's all just my opinion, thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.
What do you guys think?
(There is no challenge next. That was the finale. I have nothing more to say here)
AN3: But I do have more to say here! This is the fun little 'fun facts' segment that I usually have in these! So yay, fun fact time!
"Dia Dhuit, Crios Cath" is just 'Hello, Crios Cath' and is a reference to the Zero Sum first episodes being called "Aloha Camp Nui Kaua"
Like Zero Sum, Victor causes an explosion in the finale and creates the tension about who the winner is.
While I was sure I wouldn't need to re-outline the season, I ended up re-outlining a couple of times, starting when Team Charity happened. That wasn't originally planned, you see. I think I prefer this dual winner outcome to what I had before, but I think the midgame suffered greatly thanks to Team Charity sort of derailing me from my planned plotlines and therefore I have resolved never to listen to people asking me to up and change my plots ever again. I want my mistakes and successes to be my own. Thankfully, by the time the merge hit I felt like I had control over my own story again.
A lot of similarities between this story and Zero Sum exist. For instance, Hayaji reprises the fate of the Killer Waves, where they lose half of the first six challenges, bringing their team down to three people, only one of which manages to make the merge, and that same person can be credited with driving that team into the ground in the first place.
Some chapters include references to chapters from the same place in Zero Sum
Smile at Lies in the Name of Truth is a switch of Smile at Truth in the Name of Lies
Fake It 'Till You Make Out is a switch of Fake Out 'Till You Make It
A Vexxing Dilemma makes a pun out of Isaac's last name (Vexx)
Turning the Page makes a pun out of Katelyn's last name (Page)
The Sinful Church makes a pun out of Twilight's last name (Church)
Coulda Shoulda Woods makes a pun out of Damon's last name (Woods)
Doyle Went Down To Crios Cath likens Peter (whose last name is Doyle) to the devil, which is extra funny considering he was one of the more heroic players in Zero Sum
Cracks In The Ice is a reference to Artemis's Zero Sum Title (The Ice Queen)
A Lang Way To Go makes a pun out of Helen's last name (Lang)
Restless In Crios Cath makes an ironic pun out of Melody's last name (Rest) since she very much shows up in Crios Cath.
Masters of None is a reference to Conlan's Zero Sum Title (The Jack of All Trades)
Thick As Thieves is a reference to Oswald's Zero Sum Title (The Gentleman Thief)
The Final Four Problem is a reference to "The Final Problem" Sherlock Holmes story, which in turn is a reference to Hubert's common nickname on Zero Sum courtesy of Twilight (Sherlock) thanks to his own Title (The Detective)
As of this writing, Cherry holds the records for most confessionals ever given in a non-finale episode.
As of this writing, Watts holds the record for the most confessionals overall given in a single season.
Just like Zero Sum, a character with a relatively benign edit reveals themselves as a hidden antagonist at the end of Episode 3.
Just like Zero Sum, the Final Eleven ends in an upset as a result of a generally controversial voting decision among the remaining cast.
Just like Zero Sum, the Final 8 involves a cast-wide plot to flush out an immunity idol and the counterplot is in turn countered by a counter-counterplot.
Perhaps my favorite similarity though, is that just like in Zero Sum, a Fire team member and an Earth team member make a covert alliance and it becomes perhaps their greatest mutual lifeline.
Anyways, that's about all for now!
AN4: We have a discord! The link is on my profile (you have to get rid of the spaces obviously, but it's there!) We have a lot of fun on the server, and it's bound to be pretty active now that a fanfic 7 years in the making is finally complete! Come join us!
EN: Whew! That was a lot to get through, and definitely worth the wait, upends, and the long read! I'm so happy that this fic is completed, and there is just so much to unpack. Honestly, with the hero, neutral, villain denomination, Doobop did a great job, so I'm not going to attempt to add more to that. Instead, I will talk about my personal favorite moments.
Cherry: I agree with Doobop, actually. The "towels" joke landed for me way back then, and I have loved Cherry ever since. If I were to pick another scene for Cherry… I really can't think of one better, but if I had to be different, I would pick her reaction to Zaiyrin's "proposal." It was funny. It was not sweet. And it was cleverly juxtaposed with Mirai and Aaron, making the situation even funnier.
Watts: I'm going to pick another scene in the early game. I choose Watts entering the Fudo cabin and learning what the "hieroglyphs" were. Reading that scene back then was so powerful to me. Even though the cabin upended Watts' game, I still admire that scene to this day. I could write a whole ass essay about that scene, what it means about Watts' journey as a character in the game and in the story, and what the cabin symbolizes. I am still not over the cabin, like praise the cabin, RIP the cabin. That is my favorite Watts moment, even though there are definitely better moments.
Anyways, that is all you will be seeing from me in this fic. Even though my efforts to the plot only really contributed post-merge, I hope you have enjoyed the final couple episodes! And hopefully, with me here, I have provided you all with a more seamless reading experience. I will catch you all again in Crios Cath and the Hud Hynafols where my services are still present!
AN5: And, as always, thanks for reading! Thank you so, so much!