Chris's Recap

"Last time, on Total Drama Nialasach…

"Team Charity once again graced the competition, this time a little different since the teams were already even! Aaron escaped Zaiyrin's leash and formed a secret affair of an alliance with Alison behind Gabriel's back. Better watch out, Gabe! Erin lied about her relationship with Watts to Ellie, learned the status of the Fox Immunity Medal, and gained an ally out of it. Hopefully she can use it to get further in the game before the consequences of that lie catch up to her. Watts found himself sent off to Ebisu with Aaron's girlfriend, Mirai, and they both learned from their new teammates that Aaron was not the good guy they had both pegged him to be. At least, they have a pact about not voting for each other though, that's good! Vanessa lost her ally of Zaheen to team Inari, and things weren't looking good for her when Ebisu was sent to elimination and Zaiyrin decided to peg her as the new villain of the team. Thankfully, his boasts of his treatment of Aaron convinced the others to side with Vanessa, and vote the incorrigible strategist out of the game. 14 are left, and the stage is set for another spectacular elimination. Who will be cut from the competition? Find out right here, on Total! Drama! Niiiiialasach!"


*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: Cloch Mountain Range (Team Hayaji Campsite)

Contestant(s): Aaron, Alison, Ellie, Erin, Gabriel

"It's not there, we're fine." Gabriel looked over at the cave.

No bear.

It was either early enough or late enough in the day.

Time to fish.

Erin waded her way into the water.

"We're lucky the weather is getting warmer." She mentioned as the ripples traveled from her shuffling feet. "We'll be able to get more fish the longer we stay here on Hayaji."

"That's very helpful." Gabriel nodded.

Erin dove down.

She emerged with three salmon.

"Oh wow!" Gabriel's eyes widened.


Confessional: Erin: Team Hayaji

"I have my work cut out for me on this team, and while I can't realistically claim to be Watt's girlfriend to Gabriel, I can still show him firsthand how much of an asset I am."

End Confessional


"Erin, that's an amazing haul for just one dive!"

"Thanks." Erin forced a small smile. "It took a bit of practice during my free time to get the use right, but I feel like I've got the hang of it now."

"While we're out here," Gabriel kept the positive vibes going. "I also want to say how happy I am at how far you've come out of your shell since the beginning of the game. I'm glad you're still here and starting to socialize."

"I'm glad I'm still here too!" Erin and Gabriel both laughed at the joke.

As they stopped laughing, Erin took a breath. "But while I'm socializing, I need to get something off of my chest… I think you're being really stupid right now."

"Oh, that's not good." Gabriel rested his head on his knees. "How so?"

"Who are you thinking of voting off right now if we lose?" Erin asked. "Ellie, right?"

"Well, considering we know the least about her, probably."

"That's stupid. Don't you think Ellie would be trying harder to fit in with us if she felt threatened?"

"What? You think she has a medal?"

Erin nodded.

"Then, you want Aaron gone first instead?"

"All things equal, Gabriel…" Erin looked him in the eyes. "I'd get rid of Alison next if I were you. I get your whole 'rehabilitation' goal for her, but that only works for people who want to change, and I don't see someone as narcissistic as Alison wanting to change."

"Well, no one's told you to tell me this…" Gabriel mumbled to himself as he made sense of the thoughts in his head. "And if this is the second time this has happened, that's a pattern…"

"Gabriel, are you going to give me a response or are you going to just talk to yourself over there?" Erin asked, impatiently.

Gabriel looked up at Erin.

His eyes were watery, but his face was stoic.

His voice, resolved and resolute, he said. "I won't let this continue."


Confessional: Gabriel: Team Hayaji

"I'm going to need to have a very serious talk to Alison. More accurately, on the heels of Erin telling me all of this, I need to give Alison an ultimatum. I can't in good conscience go out with someone who is unwilling to clean up her act."

End Confessional


"And there she is, our foxy lady." Aaron grinned as he found Ellie gathering berries from a shrubbery. "How's being around these three Fudo treating you, vixen?"

"It's going pretty well, I guess," Ellie giggled a bit at Aaron's flirts. "I hope you're doing well too."

"You could say that." Aaron shrugged. "Tell you what, Ellie, what do you say we just stick together completely and, knowing that Erin and Alison don't get along, get rid of Gabriel when we can?"


Confessional: Aaron: Team Hayaji

"Truly, it doesn't really matter who goes home from this team. It could be Gabriel, it could be Erin, it could be Ellie, it could even be Alison, just as long as no one's vote is heading for me. Give them other targets. Let them think that they can deal with me later. It'll give me all the wiggle room I need thanks to this thing." Aaron held up the Fish Immunity Medal to the camera. "No one even thinks this thing is still in play! One hell of a secret weapon if I do say so myself."

End Confessional


"I might be on a team with those three strangers from Fudo," Ellie smiled. "But I think as long as the team wins challenges I'll have nothing to worry about."

"Fair enough." Aaron shrugged before walking away.


Confessional: Aaron: Team Hayaji

"Aw, she's scared to ally with someone new, that's cute."

End Confessional


Confessional: Ellie: Team Hayaji

"On paper, sticking together with the other person in the minority might sound like a standard move, but Aaron is a stranger to me. I'm not about to outright deny him his little alliance, but I'm not about to let him call my shots instead of me. I know what I'm doing, and I have some nice insurance." Ellie held up the Fox Immunity Medal to the camera. "I might not be able to play this on Cherry or Gran or Zaiyrin right now, but that means that all I have to worry about is myself."

End Confessional


"Breakfast is on~!" Alison sang throughout the camp as she finished cooking the team's meal.

"Holy shit, Alison, you cooked?!" Aaron's eyes widened as he led the other members back to camp.


Confessional: Aaron: Team Hayaji

"Well, I wasn't really surprised at this random act of kindness."

End Confessional


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"Aaron suggested I do something for… the… others… " Alison winced as the word left her lips, "so that I would seem like I was in an effort to reform. And judging by the look on Gabriel's face, I think it worked~."

End Confessional


"Mmm!" Gabriel happily hummed as he ate some eggs and fish together. "Wonderful meal to start off the day!"

"It's delicious!" Ellie agreed.

"You really outdid yourself, this time, Alison!" Aaron gave her a covert wink.

Alison made sure the others were busy eating, gave Aaron a quick pucker of her lips in response, and walked up towards Gabriel.

"I'm so glad you all like it~." She rubbed her hand up along his arm.


Confessional: Gabriel: Team Hayaji

"This, this breakfast here, is a good start towards changing her act. But… it's also too conveniently timed. I need more observation before I will give Alison the ultimatum. If things stack up, then hopefully I won't even need to give one. If things don't however… well, I'd prefer not to think about that right now."

End Confessional


Location: Upper Ceol Fields (Team Inari Campsite)

Contestant(s): Cherry, Gran, Phooko, Rashi, Zaheen

"And now you've started another garden." Phooko grinned as he noticed Rashi tending to a field of wheat.

"Full on farm this time!" She grinned back at Phooko. "Do we know who we're getting rid of if we lose?"

"Based on pure challenge ability? Probably Gran."


Confessional: Phooko: Team Inari

"Nothing against the guy, but he's our current weak link. I wasn't all that keen on him joining the alliance with Mirai to begin with, and I doubt he has much reason to want to keep both myself and Rashi around."

End Confessional


"Alright, sucks for the poor guy, but we've already got a magician that doesn't explode." Rashi nodded.

"Yep." Phooko sighed. "Anyways, I'm going to head back before we spend too long by ourselves."

"Yeah, we've been getting some glares from that Cherry girl recently I've noticed." Rashi sighed.


Confessional: Rashi: Team Inari

"Can't say I really blame her though, Phooko is my cabin corner buddy, and we can get a little giggly at night."

End Confessional


"And that's not all!" Cherry was busy complaining to Gran back at the cabin. "I was collecting the towels after they had dried, and they were all wrapped up in them making out like it was their last night on Earth! Why the ever loving fuck did you bring her over here?"

"I thought that she'd give Mirai, Phooko, and I options!" Gran shouted back. "Ever since you've decided on your own to just get rid of me for no reason, I've needed all the help I can get!"

"No, it's precisely because you need so much help that I keep gunning for you, you imbecile!" Cherry snapped.

"My goodness, darlings." Zaheen laughed as she walked by them. "It's clear the two of you have a lot of sexual tension of your own building up and neither of you is good at hiding the illusion."

"You take that fucking back." Gran glared.

"I'm merely poking fun at your petty arguments, darling." Zaheen shrugged. "We should be more focused on the next challenge. If any of us know what it might be or who it is based off of, that would be a good starting point."


Confessional: Cherry: Team Inari

"It's because the team consistently has to carry Gran that I've wanted to vote him off. If he can prove to me that he's capable of winning on his own, then I'll lay up a bit, at least until one of the two people who are actually making out with each other goes home. After that, well, we'll see. I don't have Ellie or her medal here to protect me, so now would be a good time to prove to her that I can get myself out of this situation, and to that end…"

End Confessional


"Yes, that's a good idea, Zaheen." Cherry nodded at the illusionist. "Have you watched the majority of Zero Sum? I've only seen the first two episodes."

"That's two more than I've seen." Gran sighed.

"I know, Gran." Cherry quickly responded.

"Unfortunately, Gran and I are tied at no viewings." Zaheen shrugged.

"Well, going by what I do remember about the first two episodes…" Cherry decided she might as well use deductive reasoning. "If that white-haired girl lost at the final 15, I doubt that one guy in the red dress shirt would have lasted much longer. He was falling for her hard."

"So, we're not getting a break from romance at all today are we?" Gran sighed, disappointed.

"I don't know." Cherry admitted. "He was one of my least favorites and didn't leave too great an impression other than what I've already shared."

"Maybe we'll get lucky, and it'll just be dancing again." Gran hoped.

"Either way, I'm going to go break up our two rabbits if they haven't separated for the morning already." Cherry decided. "I'll see you guys later for the challenge."

As she left the cabin, she came face to face with Phooko.

"I wouldn't go back in there, if I were you." She warned.

"Why not?" He asked.

"I left the magicians alone in there. In the meantime, you're one of our only sources of information about Zero Sum. Who lost at this time?"

"Uh… it was a double elimination, but technically the final 14 spot goes to Liu-Ten Fang. The guy in the red dress shirt."

"Pfft. Called it." Cherry mumbled under her breath with a tiny laugh.

"What?" Phooko asked. "Sorry, I couldn't hear."

"It was nothing." Cherry shook her head. "Now, speculate."


Confessional: Gran: Team Inari

"Well, now that Cherry had left Zaheen and I alone in the cabin, it was time for my take two!"

End Confessional


"Zaheen!" Gran got down on his hands and knees. "Please! If you aren't going to teach me, at least help me with my own magic!"

"Hmmm…" Zaheen stroked her chin with an amused smile. "Very well."

She pulled a playing card out from behind his ear.

"One of the most basic acts. Can you do this effectively, darling?"

Gran nodded as he stood up.

He reached behind Zaheen's ear, and pulled out a pile of ashes, though some of the paper was still intact, letting Zaheen know that at one point it truly was a playing card.

"This is like no illusion I've ever seen, darling." She shook her head. "What's your easiest act, darling?"

"Um… probably putting my hands behind my head and locking or unlocking my fingers together."

"Yes, I suppose that one is so basic that anyone could pull it off." Zaheen nodded. "Go ahead, darling, perform it."

Gran locked his fingers together like rings of a chain. He showed them to Zaheen.

He placed his hands behind his head.

When he came back, his fingers were unlocked, but his hands were smoking.

Zaheen's eyes widened as she saw them catch fire. She quickly smothered the flames within her own hands.

"How does that even happen?!" She asked, confused.

"I don't know!" Gran replied. "It just does happen! That's why I want your help!"

"I don't know if I can help you with that problem, darling. It's never happened to any illusionist I know of. You may need to give up on it, for your own safety."


Confessional: Zaheen: Team Inari

"Gran is quite the character, but if he can hurt himself doing harmless illusions, darling, then he has no business doing any illusions whatsoever. I tend to stay away from advising others to give up, but in his case, when his health depends on it, perhaps he shouldn't keep trying so often."

End Confessional


Confessional: Gran: Team Inari

"Zaheen is way too quick to give up on a protégé of hers, and these past few days with her have been very enlightening, if perhaps also disillusioning about the illusionist. Maybe inviting her over was also a mistake. If she can't help me with the problems plaguing even my basic illusions, then she's clearly not as skilled as her behavior made me think she was."

End Confessional


Location: Cailleach Bog (Team Ebisu Campsite)

Contestant(s): Mirai, Monica, Vanessa, Watts

"Don't worry about it so much, guys." Watts did his best to keep morale up. "This next challenge, this one is where we can let our creativity shine and take home a win!"

"Oh, why is that?" Monica asked as she, Mirai, and Vanessa all sat down on one mattress while Watts sat down on another one.

"Because Liu-Ten…" Watts smiled. "Is going to give us a play to write and perform. Other than him being obsessed with Nublina, that's like the one thing I remember about him. He was into theatre."

"Oh, I can perform!" Mirai cheered. "I'll wow everyone with my acting as all their eyes are on me~!"

"That's the spirit!" Watts rallied.

"A-and, I can work on costumes and props in that case!" Vanessa realized. "I'm a p-pretty good artist!"

"There we go!" Watts continued to rally.

"I could do most of the directing!" Monica noted. "I've always had a penchant for making my visions reality!"

"And with me working on the majority of the script, we'll be assured a victory!" Watts cheered.

"Go Ebisu!" Mirai raised her fist.

"Go Ebisu!" Monica followed.

"Go Ebisu!" Vanessa continued.

"Go Ebisu!" Watts ended the pep session, and all four of them went about their camp chores.


Confessional: Mirai: Team Ebisu

"Great job, Watts! You've got us nice and pumped! Woohoo, I feel like I can take on the entirety of the population of Crios Cath! And as long as we stick together, we could totally beat either Monica or Vanessa in a tiebreaker, no problem!"

End Confessional


Confessional: Watts: Team Ebisu

"I'm so glad that I've managed to rally these women. I want to keep their spirits up as much as I possibly can, because, oh my goodness, I am so freaking worried about what might happen to me if we lose again and a female-only alliance forms between them. I've been getting along well with all three for the most part, and Mirai and I have a pact to never write each other's names down."

End Confessional


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"Okay, while I enjoy the pep talk, I'm not so sure I enjoy him just taking the leadership position like that. I need an easy vote off the next time we lose if I want to be on top of my team again. He and Mirai are probably joined at the hip thanks to that Team Charity twist and both being disillusioned with Aaron at the same time. That means, my most effective method for taking control of this game would be to throw Vanessa under the bus and refrain from using my immunity medal, but based on the way I've seen her behave, she probably is banking on Team Ebisu loyalty from Mirai, but I think as long as I'm friendly, I might be able to put both Mirai and Watts in my own pocket, and I do have the edge thanks to that Zaiyrin vote."

End Confessional


Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu

"I've never been so rejuvenated and excited after a loss before! We really pumped ourselves up right now, and that's great! Still though, I remember seeing Zaiyrin write my own name down last night, and even though I'm sure no one took it too seriously, I still need to do a bunch of legwork. I haven't decided on who to vote for yet. It'll be hard to blindside Monica, but it'll be even harder to get that idol away from her if we wait until later to do it, and don't even get me started in getting rid of Watts or Mirai. I mean, we just flat out need their brains and brawn respectively."

End Confessional


"I've come to a decision." Mirai announced as she and Watts finished cleaning the campsite of debris for the morning. "About Aaron, I mean."

"Oh?" Watts asked. "What decision have you come to?"

"I'm going to confront him about this all directly. I want to hear from the horse's mouth. If I don't like the answer he gives me, I'll dump him."

"Sounds like a good plan." Watts nodded. "Even if things hurt, it's better to cut the toxic people out of your life. I think Gabriel should follow your lead with Alison, to be honest."

"What are we talking about?" Monica asked as she and Vanessa returned from their own chores.

"Oh, just some of Mirai's and Gabriel's romantic issues." Watts replied.

"Oh." Monica lost a bit of interest. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry or anything. Let's do our best to focus on the game."

"And to that end…" Vanessa smiled at both Mirai and Watts. "Why don't I come with you guys to the Hayaji campsite so that you can say the things you need to say to the people on that team? I find it's best to have someone else there to rely on in situations. That is, if you guys don't mind."

"Vanessaaaaa!" Mirai threw her arms around Vanessa in a hug. "I knew you were good!"

"There… there…" Vanessa pat a sniffling Mirai.


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"Oh, I see what she's doing! Nuh-uh, no way Miss Sketchbook! I'm going to let you get all this opportune bonding time to yourself!"

End Confessional


"Oh, yeah, let's all go over there together as a group!" Monica suggested. "It'll be a great team bonding experience!"

"That sounds great, Monica!" Mirai beamed.

"I'm all for it." Watts nodded.


Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu

"Darn it! I was banking on her dislike of romance and the game intermingling that she wouldn't catch onto this! Now any bonding time I get with these guys is time she'll also get."

End Confessional


"Well, what are we waiting around here for?" Vanessa asked. "We should head over to the Cloch Mountains soon before the challenge is called."

"Right." The rest of the team nodded back to her.

They were only just barely out of their campsite when it happened.

"Attention all players!" Chris announced. "Please meet me in the Neart Highlands! Iiiiiit's Challenge Time!"


Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu

"Arrrrgggh….Of course it would be challenge time now!"

End Confessional


Confessional: Mirai: Team Ebisu

"We're going to kick this challenge's ass! Woo! Go Team Ebisu!"

End Confessional


Confessional: Watts: Team Ebisu

"Time for Liu-Ten's challenge. It's almost certainly some sort of theatrically themed event. I just hope we don't have to memorize any shakespeare."

End Confessional


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"Well, the challenge cut our trip to Hayaji short, which is unfortunate for me, but not as unfortunate as it is for Vanessa considering I've already had a bit of a talk with Watts, and I have the idol in my pocket."

End Confessional


Location: Neart Highlands

Contestant(s): All Remaining

"Come on in, everybody!" Chris announced as the final fourteen walked in and stood on team mats. "Hayaji, Inari, get your first look at the new Ebisu, Zaiyrin voted out at the last Tine Naofa Bonfire Elimination Ceremony."

"Hallelujah!" Gran threw his arms up into the air.

Ellie looked over at Cherry on the mat with wide eyes.

"Why did you do that?" She mouthed her question, referring to her actions at the last challenge.

"He wasn't with us." She mouthed back as she shook her head.

Watts and Gabriel exchanged their own looks with each other.

Aaron smiled at Mirai. She gave him a studious look.

She was searching for cracks.

She wasn't sure if she would find any.

Monica and Zaheen awkwardly nodded at each other.

"While, technically, the Final 14 in Zero Sum resulted in a double elimination," Chris continued, "only the person who officially placed 14th influenced this challenge. Unfortunately, his theatre troupe is on tour right now, so he can't come to host, but this challenge is brought to you courtesy of Liu-Ten Fang, Total Drama Zero Sum's hopeless romantic!"

"So then," Watts raised his hand. "Does that mean that the other contestant eliminated in Zero Sum's Final 14 challenge will have their own challenge, and that we'll enter a Final 13?"

"That's correct, Watts!" Chris nodded with a grin. "This season, every episode will result in one, and only one, permanent elimination! No doubles, No tricks, just a straight one by one shooting from the premiere to the finale!"

"Okay, so, what about the actual challenge?" Alison tapped her foot.

"Liu-Ten's challenge is this: Each team will be responsible for putting on their own play about why their team deserves immunity. Everyone must participate in the play itself. Yours truly will rate everyone's performance out of 10. The team with the highest overall percentage will win the right to spin the Wheel of Reward, and the team with the lowest overall percentage will attend the next Tine Naofa Bonfire Elimination Ceremony, where one of their own will be the next member voted out of this game. Any questions?"

Gabriel's hand went into the air.

"I just want to clarify." He mentioned. "Is this a challenge where Hayaji and Inari will have to sit off a single player, or are we free to all participate?"

"While it might be true that Ebisu will have less opportunities to do well, the reverse is also true. Teams Hayaji and Inari have more opportunities to screw up. As such, we're keeping the challenge as is, and everyone from each team must be an active participant."

"Thank you very much." Gabriel nodded.

"Alright," Chris clasped his hands together. "We'll draw for genres and you guys can get started on planning!"


Challenge: Liu-Ten's Plays

Rules: Each team will be responsible for putting on their own play about why their team deserves immunity. Everyone must participate in the play itself. Chris will rate everyone's performance out of 10. The team with the highest percentage at the end of the plays gets to spin the Wheel of Reward, while the team with the lowest percentage at the end of the plays will have to attend the Tine Naofa Bonfire Elimination Ceremony.

The contestants do not know that Chris plans to switch everyone's lines and props around to make things harder for them, and funnier for himself.


Location: Upper Ceol Fields (Inari Campsite)

Contestant(s): Cherry, Gran, Phooko, Rashi, Zaheen

"So, I was thinking that if we are to make a convincing play, we will need to fulfil the trope of the five man band since there are five of us. We need a leader, a lancer, a big character, a smart character, and the emotional heart." Zaheen had taken charge of the situation.

"Yes, I'll get started on costumes and makeup right away for each one of them!" Cherry quickly backed Zaheen's decision.

"We can take the script!" Rashi volunteered both herself and Phooko.

"Don't worry, we'll make this one of the best plays ever!" Phooko boasted.


Confessional: Phooko: Team Inari

"Mainly because I think I already know what the biggest twist to this competition is going to be. I am one of the people that's watched Total Drama previously after all. I remember similar challenges to this one."

End Confessional


"Wait… what will I do?" Gran asked.

"I'm unsure." Zaheen shrugged as she walked away with Cherry, "Find something that speaks to you and do it, darling."


Confessional: Gran: Team Inari

"I'm, uh, not liking my current position on Team Inari right now." Gran sighed as he leaned back against the confessional toilet. "I thought with Zaheen and Rashi here that Mirai, Phooko, and I would be set, but instead of getting Cherry out of here, Zaiyrin's team snagged Mirai, and now Cherry is latching onto Zaheen like a leech, leaving me in the freaking middle again! And this time I just don't know who to side with. If I side with Phooko and Rashi, that's it, I can probably kiss my game goodbye, but if I side with Cherry and Zaheen, that's it, I can probably kiss my game goodbye! My best option, my only option, is to make sure this team doesn't go to elimination!"

End Confessional


Confessional: Cherry: Team Inari

"My strategy ever since the swap, has, for the most part, been twofold. Make myself seem useful in challenges like there is no tomorrow, and stick to Zaheen like glue. Force Gran to keep me if he wants to keep her, and let him know constantly that Phooko and Rashi aren't going to think twice about kicking him to the curb if he does side with them."

End Confessional


Confessional: Zaheen: Team Inari

"Siding with Cherry and forcing Gran into the swing position he finds himself in is both a test of his character, and also one of my greater illusions. After all, in almost any other scenario, I would be the one in the center of attention as a potential swing vote, not Gran. Ohohoho, this game requires strategies like mine darling, and he'll always be trailing behind me."

End Confessional


Location: Cloch Mountain Range (Hayaji Campsite)

Contestant(s): Aaron, Alison, Ellie, Erin, Gabriel

"Alright, Ellie." Gabriel reported. "We have Erin and Aaron designing props and costumes and making sure everything works, Alison is busy doing theatre exercises since she's going to be our lead here, and I've just gone over our script for its first proofreading. We might want to add a few more lines, and in exchange, me might want to blend these two conversations into one larger one."

"Ooooh…" Ellie looked over the notes Gabriel was giving her. "Maybe we can move these two scenes so that they happen in this order instead too! That way we'll have more room for the conclusion!"

"Oh, yeah! I can't believe I didn't catch that one!" Gabriel nodded.


Confessional: Ellie: Team Hayaji

"So, as you guys can probably tell, Gabriel and I are sort of the joint leads here, and this was always part of my plan, to take a leading role in a challenge requiring teamwork. I might not have watched the most Zero Sum, but he reminds me a lot of, like, Helen or Isaac, you know, those people. I bet if he was a cosplayer he'd go for like the chivalrous knight-like characters. That's a good kind of person to get on your side in this game, and an easy way to attract friends. Let him see how hard I work compared to the rest of the team, and make it impossible for him to consider getting rid of me specifically. The bonus here though is that if all my effort is rewarded, we might not have to put up with elimination."

End Confessional


Erin and Aaron were busy at work, designing the majority of the props for Team Hayaji's play.

"These waves are coming along great!" Aaron admired Erin's work. "Maybe we should share Inari's canoe if we ever get our hands on it and have a little river date."

"You're taken and so am I." Erin responded, continuing her half lie without looking up. "And I think both Mirai and Watts would be fairly upset to learn their partners went on a date with each other."

"Oh, so you're his girlfriend!" Aaron sat down next to Erin, changing up his strategy a bit with the new information. "That explains so much, actually. I was wondering why you seemed to be avoiding me the most. It's because I replaced him. I hope I can earn your trust as someone who is just as big a fan of Zero Sum as he is."

"That part was actually kind of annoying." Erin gave Aaron a side-eye.

"Oh, well, then I hope I can prove team loyalty right now as well."

"Mm-hmm." Erin nodded. "Cool. Now come on, you aren't done with your cave backdrop yet."

"Right." Aaron nodded. "And just so you know, you can trust me alright? I have nothing but respect for you and your boyfriend, and I was really hoping to team up with him."

"He was hoping to team up with you too, you and Ellie." Erin responded. "And your first target was going to be Alison, just an FYI."

Aaron scanned Erin.

No.

She didn't know.

She was just trying to save herself because she thought she was on the bottom.

She was right. She was on the bottom. Not before, but now she was.


Confessional: Aaron: Team Hayaji

"So Erin is Watt's girlfriend is she? Then it's important to me that I get rid of her as soon as possible. If I can manage that, Watts will be stuck without a Carys echo to rely on for an alliance, and that will send that Hubert fanboy straight to me. Sorry Erin, that power play might work against Ellie, but not against the man who was capable of leading a team through six rounds of play without once going to elimination."

End Confessional


"Hey, Gaaaaaabriellllll~," Alison sang as she noticed Gabriel coming by to check on her. She swayed up to him, grabbed his collar, and gave him a kiss before wrapping her hands around him and starting to rock him back and forth. "I happened upon a thought, but I wanted to run it by you, Gabey-baby."

"Oh? What thought?" Gabriel asked, fighting to restrain himself from allowing Alison to enchant him completely.

"Well, I feel as though, recently, Ellie and Aaron have been very good and picking up slack around camp and in challenges, and well, it's not out of malice but I feel like it might be the most beneficial to the team if Erin were to be the next one to go should we lose."

"I don't know if I agree with you entirely, Alison." Gabriel backed away. "Erin has been doing a lot of work around camp recently, most of it things Watts used to do with me. I feel like unless Aaron can prove himself just as valuable an asset as Watts thought he was, then we can start considering Erin. But for now, let's assume both of the non-original Fudo members are at the bottom of the team, alright?"

"That's fine, love~." Alison caught him again. "I was only offering suggestions after all, and anything can happen in this game. Now come on, one more for the road."

The two locked their lips one more time, and Alison was sure to press herself against Gabriel's body before disconnecting. "Now, you go and check on the others~!" She twiddled her fingers.

"Y-yes." Gabriel nodded. "I'll do that."


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"Aaron's help is great, but it's only just barely managing to do the trick. I don't have as good a grasp on Gabriel's actions as I'd like to, and that doesn't spell good news for me. I honestly probably have a better grasp on Aaron's own actions right now, but I shouldn't cut off my options just yet. I've covertly conducted a revolution from the bottom of my team before. It should be easier to do it from a position of more power."

End Confessional


Confessional: Gabriel: Team Hayaji

"It's not completely out of the ordinary for Alison to target Erin, but once again, things are just happening in too convenient an order to ignore. I feel like there's some vital information going around that other people in this team are privy to but are for whatever reason not sharing it with me. The last time I felt like this was before the Jenae elimination back when Fudo still existed, and I'd rather not be made a fool of at Tine Naofa twice. I need to put a plan in place to solidify my position leading this team, and I need to do it soon."

End Confessional


Location: Cailleach Bog (Ebisu Campsite)

Contestant(s): Mirai, Monica, Vanessa, Watts

"Alright, I'll take the majority of scriptwriting as the self-appointed director of this theatre troupe." Monica announced. "Vanessa, you're our lead prop designer and make up artist!"
"R-right!" Vanessa jumped a little.

"Mirai, Watts, you're our leads on the play. Mirai, you'll be the main character so work on memorizing the lines I write. Watts, when you aren't practicing your lines, you'll be helping out the rest of us with things, starting with me on my script!"

"Got it!" Mirai saluted.

"Sure thing." Watts nodded.

"Alright, my team, it's time to go out there and win this challenge!" Monica cheered.

"Ebisu!" All three of the other members responded.


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"And it is going to be my team."

End Confessional


"Hey, Mirai, Watts, can I get your measurements?" Vanessa pulled both of them over as Monica began to work on the script.

"Oh yeah, if we're making costumes, we'll want them to fit." Mirai smiled. She went first.

"Aww, Vanessa, your hands are so gentle!"

"I, uhm… I'm not trying to do anything other than take your measurements…" Vanessa shyly replied.

Monica looked up from her script at what was going on. "Watts!" She called. "While she works on Mirai's measurements, come help me with this next scene! You don't have to be standing there doing nothing!"


Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu

"Tch. There goes my plan to be as adorable as possible to win them over. She's not even trying to act like we're still allies, but you know what? Fine. If she wants to play the ruthless card, then I'll play the victim card."

End Confessional


"Mirai, what are your thoughts on Monica?"

"I like her! She's very passionate about the team and the challenges."

"Yeah, but don't you think she's a little too mean to people sometimes?"

"Uh… I dunno. I haven't seen her be mean to anyone yet, except Zaiyrin, I guess, but like, I don't know, V."


Confessional: Vanessa; Team Ebisu

"Well. This is going nowhere. Not that I'm that surprised considering who I'm talking to."

End Confessional


"Alright, I think I got the last of your measurements, Mirai." Vanessa smiled. "Can you send Watts over here? When you do you should grab what we have of the script so far from Monica."

"Right!" Mirai happily skipped away.


Confessional: Mirai: Team Ebisu

"Monica and Vanessa are really stepping up during this challenge, and I love it! With this much enthusiasm, we're bound to take first place!"

End Confessional


"Monica, do you have the script yet?" Mirai asked as she motioned for Watts to go get his measurements.

"Of course we have some of it done." Monica smiled as she handed Mirai some lines to go over. "I wouldn't just leave my team high and dry like that."

"Woo! Thank you so much!"


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"Vanessa might be trying to win them over emotionally, but I'll win them over rationally. I have leadership qualities, and a medal. They wouldn't dare go up against that. And the more I sneak little references to this being my team, the more they'll think to get rid of her over me."

End Confessional


"You aren't sensitive anywhere are you?" Vanessa asked Watts as she took his measurements. "I don't want to hear you like, moan or something."

"I probably won't be moaning if you're only taking measurements." Watts chuckled.

"Sounds good in the hood." Vanessa replied. "Have you come to a decision of your own, by the way?"

"What do you mean?"

"About Aaron." Vanessa clarified.

Watts mulled the situation over in his head.

He cleared his throat before answering.

"Until Aaron and I have to share a campsite, I'm not going to do anything. If I don't need to or cannot engage with him, then I shouldn't let him occupy my mind."

"Ahhh, I see." Vanessa nodded. "Well, that should be good for you for measurements." She finished up jotting down his own numbers. "And I already know my own so all I need is Monica's."

"In the meantime, I'll practice my lines with Mirai." Watts nodded back as the two of them parted ways.


Confessional: Watts: Team Ebisu

"Vanessa and Monica are doing really well in terms of dividing up the majority of the work for this challenge. It's almost scary how well it's split. Something feels kind of sinister about this whole situation though. I just can't put my finger on it completely yet."

End Confessional


Vanessa walked over to Monica who greeted her with a smile. Soon, Vanessa was taking Monica's measurements as well.

"Don't stress yourself out too much, Vanessa." Monica mentioned. "I won't let my team down so easily."

"I never thought for a second that you would." Vanessa replied.


Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu

"I've been catching Monica's little 'my teams' here and there recently, and I don't really care all that much about it. Let her be the leader. The more focused she is on staying the 'leader' the more focused I can be on making Mirai and Watts want to take me further in the game as opposed to her, because at the end of the day, those two are a package deal, and if one of us has to stay and one of us has to go, I intend to stay. Idol in my face or not."

End Confessional


Location: Neart Highlands

Contestant(s): All Remaining

"The teams have all handed in their scripts, costumes, and props." Chris announced. "And now, we're about to see everyone perform in their plays! Unfortunately, due to a little bit of a mix-up, you may wind up with lines that aren't yours! Ahahahaaah… oh, I can't wait to see this absolute trainwreck! Team Hayaji, you're up first!"


Play 1: Hayaji

Ellie walked out onto the stage, looking over her script in confusion.

This was not at all what she wrote.

She sighed under her breath, and turned to the audience, the other teams and Chris, with a serious expression.

"At the beginning, it's fine. Gather up information. The thing is, the longer you stay, the more your fear builds… fear… of him!"

She motions out for Gabriel to walk onstage. He does, also looking over his lines, which are not his own.

"We meet again, Moral Dilemma." Ellie stood defiantly.

"Dilemma?" Gabriel responded. "Please, call me Ellima. It's short for… ELIMINATION!"


Confessional: Gabriel: Team Hayaji

"It seems someone has messed with our scripts. These are not what we practiced."

End Confessional


Ellie skipped through her new lines. She looked at Chris quizzically. Chris hid a grin as he motioned for her to continue.

She bit her lip as she looked back at her lines, before picking up a book that was supposed to be a prop for their original play and placing her hand over it.

"I, uh, cast magic missile!" She announced out towards the audience.

Gabriel did his best to hold in laughter.

The viewers, not so much.


Confessional: Ellie: Team Hayaji

"So, things are kind of going poorly right now."

End Confessional


"I vote you off!" Gabriel announced as he pointed at Ellie. "...wait, what?" He looked through the lines again as Chris and Chef high-fived each other

"We have to go!" Ellie urged Gabriel as she read from her lines, before walking off stage.

"Seems like it's game over." Gabriel announced as he followed her. "You've been voted off."

The two then worked to change the scene of their play, and Alison and Erin appeared in their stead.

"I'm tired and hungry." Alison lamented dramatically towards Erin.

Erin looked at her own script.

She looked at Chris.

Chris motioned for her to continue.

"Dude, it's just immunity, get a grip." Erin rolled her eyes as she sat at a pantomimed table.

"Wait!" Alison announced. "I want to know about Chris McLean!" She sat at the same pantomimed table.

"Alison this is bullshit, we know our lines let's just do our play." Erin whispered.

"And risk losing? No, thank you." Alison scoffed in response.

Erin sighed as she looked at her next line.

"Yeah, so?"

"Chris is way better than my dad." Alison responded, taking advantage of the opportunity to give Chris a lash fluttering.

"Yes…" Erin responded, already so genuinely confused that it didn't matter it was also in her misplaced stage directions.

"He should adopt us right away!" Alison cheered into the air. Erin had to fight to not break her character, or, what existed of it.

They quickly left the stage as Chris clapped, before all five Hayaji members gathered around Aaron. He was holding what appeared to be a rough approximation of the Fox Immunity medal, no doubt made by Team Inari for their play originally.

Aaron took a deep breath, before monologuing.

"I try, and I try, and I try, but I always seem to fall short. Starting over completely new. Even with friends by my side, constantly giving me 2, 3 extra votes, I-... still seem like I'm getting nowhere!" Aaron slams his fist against the stage before picking himself back up. "Whoever it is, whatever you believe in, He, She, It, the maker of this world, has got to be sick and demented knowing how badly people want it, yet, putting in all those near-unpredictable shuffles!"

Ellie looked at her final line.

She sighed.

She looked straight out into the audience.

She pointed at Aaron.

"He's gone too far. The damage has been done."

Hayaji all stood up at the edge of the stage for their curtain call, and bowed.

Most of the audience just sat there in complete silence. Unsure of what they just saw and deathly terrified that they were next, and would fare worse.

"Well, that was… a play…" Chris blinked with a dead grin. "Anyways, your score out of 100 averages out to…

… 75%! Now it's time to move onto Team Ebisu!"


Play 2: Ebisu

Vanessa was the first out on the stage, along with Mirai and Monica. Meanwhile, Watts crouched behind what was clearly a prop model of the Tine Naofa Bonfire Pit.

"Erin, you are so lazy." Vanessa, using some context clues to realize she had Alison's lines, faked a British accent as she spoke to Mirai.

"Good morning, Ellie." Mirai responded to Vanessa. "Are you ready for today?"

Monica, meanwhile, began to rock herself forward and back.

"They say, once you play this game, long enough, you start to lose yourself. It's like you're in a whole different world than everyone else."

Watts facepalmed while he was still behind his misplaced prop, before popping out of it to recite his own line.

"Good morning, Gabriel!" Watts smiled at Mirai as he waved his hand.

"I thought she was Erin?" Phooko snickered to Cherry in the audience before Chris shushed them.

Monica continued to rock herself back and forth. "The only people who see the game the same way you do are, well, it's hard to tell. Mainly because trust is so scarce. But living with these people, you don't know what to expect."


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"I swear if this keeps up, I'm going to have an actual existential crisis and not just the one my character appears to be having in the middle of this play about nothing."

End Confessional


"No." Watts shook his head. "I am not ready for today."


Confessional: Watts: Team Ebisu

"I was definitely not ready for this kind of script either."

End Confessional


"Too bad!" Mirai laughed at Watts after reading her line. "We must go!"

"Go where?" Watts asked Mirai.

"You know what day it is?" Vanessa, still channeling her approximation of a British accent asked Watts.

"But Chef is the true player here, bros." Watts announced out towards Chef and held up a donut before it exploded.

Chef rose a brow.


Confessional: Chef

"Not gonna lie, if I'd been judging, they'd been winning."

End Confessional


"Listen to me, Rashi!" Monica grabbed Watt's shoulder. "I need an immunity medal!"

The audience couldn't help but laughed considering the actual immunity medal around Monica's neck.

Watts looked for his next line.

He couldn't find one.

He looked at Chris, his eyes wide.

Chris shrugged with a grin.


Confessional: Chris

"Ehh, I'm sure he'll think of something."

End Confessional


"My name isn't Rashi, it's Ellie." Watts decided to go with that.

He then left the stage.

"Some days are tomorrow…" Vanessa continued to wax philosophical in her fake British accent.

"Oh, you know where…" Mirai tapped her nose at Vanessa with a grin.

Monica looked between the two of them in utter bewilderment.

"NEED!" Monica shouted as she placed herself between Vanessa and Mirai.

The two other girls could barely contain their laughter.

Mirai looked over her own lines and noticed that she too had nothing left she could say.

"Hey, don't stress so much about this, 'kay?" She patted Monica on the shoulder.

"Get out of bed." Vanessa put her hand on Monica's other shoulder. "It's time to begin the ritual."

"The coronation ritual of our team winning immunity, that is!" Mirai did her best to save the non-existent plot. "It will break your curse!" Mirai stood up and proclaimed to the heavens. "Give me a damn medal!"

All four Ebisu walked back out on stage for their curtain call.

"Bwahahahahaaa!" Chris laughed in his seat. "A for effort you guys, but unfortunately, your 61% won't be enough to beat Hayaji's mark. Let's move onto Inari for our final play of the challenge!"


Play 3: Inari

Gran looked at his single line. This was clearly Aaron's based on the previous performances. He held a prop television in both his hands.

"According to all laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway, because bees don't care what humans think is impossible." He then dropped the television to the stage floor. "All hail Chris McLean!"

"All hail Chris McLean!" The other Inari team members repeated.

"I'm sleepy and really hungry." Rashi put her hand on Gran's shoulder.

Gran looked back at his script.

He had nothing.

"You should take a nap and eat a snack then." He suggested in character. "The worship session will take a while."

"He's so cool." Rashi pointed at Gran as she faced the audience. "He's way better than my dad."

"Uh… thanks?" Gran asked, laughing a little.

"And he has a lot of money." Rashi winked at the audience.

"Made from my, uh, professional magic tricks, yes." Gran dusted himself off as he stood up.

Rashi noticed she too was out of lines.

"And that's why he's our favorite chapter leader here in the cult of Chris!" She decided upon.

"And why I've been a member for the past seven decades!" Gran announced in his best elerly accent.

"You just said the exact same thing." Phooko walked out onto the stage.

Phooko looked at his second line immediately after the first one. He facepalmed.

After getting his bearings, he focused his attention on Gran and Rashi.

"Go away."

"'K." Rashi noticed she had one cue left and decided to remove herself from the trainwreck as quickly as possible.

"I'll, uh, send my lovely virginal daughters out to greet you as a prospective Chris cultist." Gran announced as he too went backstage.

"Even in a trainwreck play, get ready to get your ass kicked if you pull that shit again." Cherry threatened Gran backstage before she and Zaheen joined Phooko.

"Fuck off, Alison." She announced to Phooko.

Phooko shrugged, and did his best to mock Alison's posture as he walked offstage.

Cherry then turned to Zaheen.

"Isn't every day today?" The circus girl asked.

"Well, I have a solution for YOU, darling!" Zaheen tipped her hat before pointing out towards Chris. "Why don't you get adopted by our host with the most, Chris McLean?!"

Cherry noticed she had no more lines, and simply left.

"Okay…" Zaheen hung her head low, and pulled her hat over her face, before exiting the stage in the opposite direction.

Team Inari then all walked back out onstage for their curtain bow.

"Congratulations on… finishing… your performance, Inari." Chris stifled maniacal laughter. "As the judge I'll award you with…

… 71%! This means that TEAM HAYAJI wins the whole thing, and gets to spin the Wheel of Reward. Team Ebisu, unfortunately, you guys will be meeting me one more time at Tine Naofa tonight, where one of you will be the next contestant voted off of the island!"


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"Alright Vanessa…"

Switch Confessional


Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu

"Alright Monica…"

Switch Confessional


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"It's you or me tonight…"

Switch Confessional


Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu

"And I'm not going to let it be me!"

End Confessionals


Ellie walked up to the Wheel of Reward. She looked over it. She looked at Team Ebisu.

"Just don't take our mattresses." Mirai crossed her fingers.

Ellie spun the wheel.

After rolling past all the options, it finally landed on…

The Grill and Charcoal.

"And the rich get richer over on Hayaji." Monica sighed.

"And with that, there's nothing for anyone else out here." Chris smiled. "Hayaji, congratulations, Ebisu, see you soon!"


Confessional: Mirai: Team Ebisu

"Ugh! This is just great! I'm still not sure who I even want to vote for. Obviously, Watts and I are never going to write each other's name down, so that leaves us each with two choices. And while I think Vanessa's come a long way from that strange and quiet girl she used to be, I don't know if I want to risk voting for someone with an immunity medal around their neck."

End Confessional


Confessional: Watts: Team Ebisu

"This isn't the best situation for Mirai or myself. We're in a situation where, if we do vote for Vanessa, we'll hand control of the team to Monica, but if we vote for Monica, we risk one of us heading home instead. It's a tough call."

End Confessional


Location: Tine Naofa Bonfire Elimination Ceremony

Contestant(s): Mirai, Monica, Vanessa, Watts

"Ebisu!" Chris exclaimed as Team Ebisu came in, one by one, and sat around the bonfire. "Let me just say that even though you did lose, your performance in the challenge was still an admirable one, and if you had known about the switching of scripts from the beginning, I think you might not even have been here tonight."

"Well, thanks for the sentiment, I guess." Monica sighed.

"I sort of see where you're coming from, Chris." Watts took a different route than Monica.

"We do have heart, here. None of us are quitters or losers by nature. We're not going to let this get to us."

"What do you guys intend to do for food now that your grill has been taken, and without charcoal, you'll have a harder time finding good fuel for your fire back at camp?"

"Pffft." Mirai blew off Chris's question. "You ask that as if we aren't aware of Rashi's garden! She has this amazing green thumb, so anything she planted back when she was on Ebisu should be nice and ripe for us to enjoy."

"I can confirm." Vanessa nodded as she took out an incredibly healthy looking carrot. "Pulled this out just this evening.

"Well, it's clear to me that you already have a plan for how to deal with this loss." Chris looked over each of the four Ebisu. "That's good that you aren't getting complacent. However, only three of you will get to realize that plan, which brings us to tonight's vote. Mirai, how are you going to base your vote tonight?"

"I'll probably be basing it on strength, Chris." Mirai responded. "Strength of both body and mind, making sure there isn't any drama going around. That kind of stuff."

"Monica, how about you?"

"I'd love to say the same thing, Chris…" Monica shook her head. "But while Mirai, or maybe Watts, can think that way, I need to base it on strategy. I need to base it on who I think will help me get farther in this game."

"Vanessa, I noticed your face just now, what's on your mind?" Chris gestured to Vanessa.

"Like, I'm glad Monica can be so forward thinking like that, but it's a little disingenuous to talk like you're in so much danger when you have that immunity medal around your neck."

"What, you think I'm not willing to put my game on the line?" Monica asked.

"I'm just saying that I'm, objectively, in more danger of elimination than you are." Vanessa responded calmly. "And while she can base it from that position of power, some of us really do have to play from the bottom, and in my case, it's all about threats. I don't vote based on who I can use to get further, I vote based on who I think is the most likely to stop me from getting further. Eliminate the obstacles, not the less useful weapons. A knife might not be a gun, but it's still useful in combat, and either way, I'd rather have one of those then be holding an enemy's unpinned grenade."

"Oh, so now I'm a grenade?" Monica asked.

"Monica, Vanessa has never once mentioned you by name." Chris noted. "Why are you thinking this is about you?"

"Because those two aren't going to let each other get voted out of this team!" She gestured toward Mirai and Watts. "So obviously, Vanessa is gunning for me."

"Wouldn't you say that's a smart decision though? You don't have many connections outside of this team, and you have an immunity medal, and that only becomes more powerful the longer it stays around."

"Still, I've noticed her trying to trash talk me behind my back." Monica crossed her arms.

"Like you aren't trying to do the same thing." Vanessa gasped. "You heavily implied in your speeches at this very elimination ceremony that you thought I was useless! But I'm the one with more inroads than you, and one of my inroads is your inroad!"

"Watts, a lot to make of all of this." Chris turned to Watts. "How are you going to base tonight's vote?"

Watts thought for a moment.

"Trust." He responded. "I'm basing my vote on trust. Trust in my teammates, trust in my own decision making, and trust in that whoever is eliminated today will understand that this is all just part of the game. For all I know, this fight could be a ruse to just team together and vote one of the two of us off." He gestured between himself and Mirai. "But I trust that's not going to happen. We've both been busting our humps ever since we got dragged over to this team, and I think it would be foolish on Monica's or Vanessa's part to let either one of us go at this moment. But I could be wrong, Chris. Anyone can be wrong in this game. That's what makes it so terrifying."

"And we will soon see who it is out of the four of you that has the game wrong." Chris announced. "It is time to vote. Monica, you're up first."


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"Vanessa. Sorry to step on you to get myself ahead like this, but you need to be taught a lesson about nails that stick up."

End Confessional


After Monica had voted, it was Mirai.

After Mirai had voted, it was Vanessa's turn.


Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu

"Monica. I'm hoping at least one other person votes for you, and you're forced to either play your medal, or actually put your money where your mouth is and put your game on the line. I might not be able to take you in a physical challenge, but anything mental like rock-paper-scissors, I think I have that one in the bag. You're too proud for your own good."

End Confessional


Finally, it was Watt's turn to vote.

He took a while.

A long while.

But he did manage to write down an answer.

He returned.

"I'll go tally the votes." Chris announced.

He left the four of them to sit by the fire.

Mirai and Watts looked at each other and nodded.

Monica and Vanessa both looked straight into the flames.

All four contestants looked over at the Tomb of Shame.

One of them was going to enter, very soon.

Chris returned.

He held a platter with three medals on top of it.

"I have with me here three medals." He announced. "If I call your name, come up and receive your medal. If you do not receive a medal, you will be asked to immediately enter the Tomb of Shame and give up any hope of winning money off of the Nialasach season of Total Drama. Now…" He looked directly at Monica. "If anyone has a hidden immunity medal and would like to play it, now would be the time to do so."

Vanessa looked over at Monica.

Watts looked over at Monica.

Mirai looked over at Monica.

Monica clutched her medal in her hand.

"If you have any faith in your own game, you won't play that." Vanessa warned.

"I'm no hypocrite." Monica stared back at her. "I'm keeping it unplayed."

"Alright then." Chris smiled.

He held up the first medal.

"The first medal goes to….Watts."

"Phew." Watts stood up, grabbed the medal, and stood near Chris.

"The next medal goes to…" Chris began again.

"Mirai."

"Yayyyy~!" Mirai jumped up and gave Chris a quick hug before taking her medal.

"Ladies…" Chris looked over Monica and Vanessa. "This is the final medal of the night…

… And it goes to whoever can win this tiebreaker."


Confessional: Watts: Team Ebisu

"This was a risk I took. I split my vote from Mirai's. I know it made it possible for both Vanessa and Monica to take out one of us, but like I said, I trusted that they wouldn't. The reason that I did it, well, it was because of something that I thought of while listening to Monica and Vanessa argue."

End Confessional


"Tonight's lucky tiebreaker…" Chris announced. "Will be an arm wrestle! Ladies, take your places!"

Monica and Vanessa sat opposite each other. Light from the flames of the fire glistened over Monica's medal.

"Ready…" Chris stated.

"Go!"

Both arms immediately began fighting to push the other one over on the table they were sitting at.

Monica and Vanessa stared intently at each other.

Every time one of their arms moved, they would make the other move just as much in a counterattack.

Sweat ran down both their faces.

Mirai and Watts both watched on intently.

Monica let out an exhale.

Vanessa did too.

Vanessa gulped to calm her nerves.

Monica did too.

Neither player was backing down.

The camera panned around the small table that had been set up for the challenge while the flames flickered beside them in the dark desert night.

Mirai shivered and moved closer to the fire before turning to look at the match from more of a distance.

Watts shivered as well, but was too invested in the match to look away for even a moment.

Both Monica's and Vanessa's arms were trembling.

Adrenaline rushing through both of their veins.

It was a much closer race than either player expected it to be.

Finally, however, the match came to an end.

One arm overpowered the other.

"And we have our winner!" Chris announced. "The final medal of the night goes to…

… Monica!"

"Phew..." Monica sighed, exhausted, as she got up and took the final medal. "You put up a good fight, Vanessa, I'll give you that."

"You too." Vanessa sighed as she also stood up. "Thanks for actually putting your game on the line, even if you might not have done it without me telling you to."

"Vanessa…" Chris put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, but the Tomb of Shame awaits."

"I'm glad I had this opportunity to play and challenge myself." Vanessa smiled. "I didn't ever think I'd be capable of doing half of the things I've done on this show. Good luck, you two." She smiled at Mirai and Watts, before heading into the Tomb of Shame."

"You see? She didn't even wish me luck!" Monica huffed. "She got what she deserved for trying to stab me in the back. She should view it as a lesson."

"Huh." Watts quirked a brow. "It looks like I was right."

"What are you talking about?" Monica narrowed her eyes at him.

"Well, you were also stabbing Vanessa in the back. You could have easily teamed up to take out one of us. The only real difference between the two of you, on this team in a vacuum, is the medal you have around your neck. I'm not going to necessarily endorse betraying an ally, but to give Vanessa a defense in her absence, what you did to her and what she did to you are almost the same, but thanks to your medal, a key difference in situation makes your move much less forgiving."

"I don't follow, Watkins."

"Vanessa was targeting you, a player in a more secure spot. She was punching up. You were targeting her, a player in a weaker position. You were punching down. She was never a threat to you the way you were to her, she was only a threat to your ego. She only ever became a threat when you decided not to play that immunity medal you're wearing. You want control to a disturbing degree, and I'm starting to think it's why the first Hayaji fared as poorly as it did."

"Well, it doesn't matter now." Monica shrugged. "Because I still have this immunity medal. I do have control now, and you can't take it away from me. You don't have the power."

"Maybe not." Watts shook his head. "But I can take my trust away."

"Well…" Chris chimed in. "It appears that control and trust are becoming increasingly important in this game, but as we get further in, the more control can shift, and the smaller the amount of people you can trust becomes. The three of you can head back to camp. You're all safe. For now."

Chris then turned directly into the camera as the remaining Ebisu members walked away.

"How will this three members Ebisu fair?

"Will Gabriel catch on to the schemes going on behind his back?

"Has Gran unwittingly become a human shield for Zaheen?

"Find out next time!

"On Total!

"Drama!

"Niiiiialasach!"


*Vanessa's Final Confessional:

"I really wish I could have gone farther. If one of that pair had just voted with me for Monica, we could have followed in Fudo's footsteps and flushed the idol and a villain out of the game in one fell swoop! I guess I'm probably going to be rooting for Phooko and Rashi to do well now, but I guess I wouldn't mind Watts or Zaheen getting farther in the game. Even seeing Mirai do well would make me happy, even if she is a bit… much. Oh man, this whole game was one heckin' amazing adventure. I got a boyfriend, I voted him off, I nearly beat Monica at arm wrestling and came so close to flushing an immunity medal! I came here to step out of my comfort zone, and I'm so glad I did. This whole thing, even the moments where I was in tears, will all be remembered fondly as a whole. I'd love to try and come back for another second chance season or something because, oh man, I have so many strategies I want to try out!"

End Confessional*


The Votes for those who are curious

Mirai voted for… Vanessa

Monica voted for… Vanessa

Vanessa voted for… Monica

Watts voted for… Monica


AN: And here we are, talking about Vanessa.

First off, a bit of an apology, because for the beginning of this story, Vanessa just got freaking shafted and that's entirely my own fault. It's strange though. It was because she was actually in a really good position that she didn't get much story focus earlier. The only person on her team with much of a problem with her was Mirai and well, Mirai is Mirai. Add to that the fact that Ebisu, the original Ebisu, never even had to worry about elimination and, well, you know, not much ground to cover there. But, oh boy, do I think she really pulled herself to the front of the Team Ebisu story once the Final 18 hit. She indirectly caused Aaron to reveal his vote for Raul in front of everyone because he never thought she'd have the guts to vote him off. She did.

She got in good with Zaheen and they became sort of the shadow leaders of that team while Zaiyrin took most of the heat.

She made Monica fear for the safety of her game, and nearly flushed her idol out with her in that tiebreaker just now.

She put up one hell of a fight is what I'm saying, and I'd love to have her back on like Resurrection or something where she can continue that fight.

Vanessa will be back for the finale, let's hope she'll fight just as hard when it happens!

For those wondering, Vanessa's alignment was Chaotic Neutral

Having studied her actions throughout the season, Vanessa receives the status of: Hero

I was debating, honestly, between Hero and Neutral, but ultimately, she never acted in a malicious way, and while her ultimate goal was always her own survival, she made a pretty big habit of always opposing the villains whenever they were around, even if it wasn't the best play for her specifically, she recognized the greater danger they posed to everyone around them. She opposed Aaron, she opposed Zaiyrin, she opposed Monica, and she never allowed herself to become one of their minions, even vicariously. She was proactive in her opposition, whereas, say, Simon, was reactive. That's what puts her over the edge for me.

Vanessa's best moment: Honestly, I'd say Vanessa's best moment is probably when she kissed Raul before she voted him off. For her, it was a goodbye kiss, because she was about to write her boyfriend's name down to prove a point, and prove that point she did.

But this is all just my opinion, what do you guys think?

Twilight's challenge is up next, what do you guys think it will be?


EN: Twilight's challenge will be the first one to wake up at midnight wins!


AN2: We have a discord where we play fun games, post fun memes, and read these fun stories! It's fun! It's free! The link is on my profile!


AN3: And as always, thanks for reading!