Chris's Recap

"Last time on Total Drama Nialasach…

We officially split up into our final iterations of Team Hayaji and Team Ebisu! Alison, Cherry, Gabriel, Gran, Rashi and Watts formed the final Hayaji team, where it seemed like Alison was an easy choice for the next to go home. Meanwhile, Aaron, Ellie, Erin, Mirai, Monica, and Phooko formed the final Ebisu team, where Ellie, Erin and Mirai had a clear majority in terms of alliance. Though it never takes long for situations to change in this game. During the challenge of finding and penning dangerous predatory animals for Damon, Alison not only managed to stoke the flames of Mirai's short temper, moving her towards the bottom of Ebisu, but also managed to catch Rashi giving advice to Aaron, and used it to her advantage as she convinced every other Hayaji member except Gabriel to eliminate Rashi in order to prevent Ebisu regrouping at the merge. We're at the Final 11 now, and we're about to be at the Final 10. Who can navigate their way to victory and who is about to get run out of town? Find out right here! On Total! Drama! Niiiiialasach!"


*Total Drama Theme 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: Glas Woods (Loser Campsite)

Contestant(s): Alison, Cherry, Gabriel, Gran, Watts

The sun had barely risen as the five remaining members of the final Team Hayaji awoke in the middle of the Glas Woods, their campsite consisting of nothing but a rudimentary shelter and fire pit full of smoldering ashes.

"OhmygoshGaaabriellll…" Alison falsely sobbed as she walked up to him. "Why do you have to be this way? I've only ever done what I thought was best for the both of us!"

"Even if that were true…" Gabriel didn't fall for it. "It still meant you never took my own thoughts on those matters into consideration."

"Because I didn't want to worry you!" Alison sniffled. "Why can't you believe me?"

"Because you're clearly lying?" Gabriel wasn't sure how to answer. For once, his inability to be affected emotionally was working to his favor.


Confessional: Gabriel: Team Hayaji

"She's lying. I know she's lying, she's got all these goosebumps. She's better off trying to find someone else to trick into voting with her instead of against her. With their silly paranoia about an Ebisu alliance laid to rest, I'd imagine the rest of the team is ready to just vote Alison out now."

End Confessional


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"This is absolute bollocks. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep myself afloat with these… people. Ideally we simply won't lose again, but I've seen Zero Sum. I know how this part of the game played out for the first team to be stuck in the loser campsite. For now though, if I can't rely on Gabriel, and I won't rely on James, then it's time to have a little chat with Gran. No flirting for that middle class loser though. He's dumb enough to manipulate more conventionally."

End Confessional


"Graaaaaan~" Alison threw herself onto Gran when she caught him alone. "Gabriel is so mean, Gran! He said that I was next to go just because he's voting alphabetically! That's so unfair! I always give it my all in challenges, and I shouldn't be ignored like that! He's so cruel, so heartless…"

"Uh… uh…" Gran had no idea what was going on. "Uh… there… there?" He asked. "M-maybe we can vote him off instead? Only if we lose again though. Ideally, we'll just win our way to the merge!"

"T-thank you so much!" Alison squeezed Gran in a bear hug before letting him go. "That makes me feel quite a lot better." She waved goodbye to him and ran off as quickly as she had run up.

"Uh… good to know?" Gran scratched his head.


Confessional: Gran: Team Hayaji

"I'm not sure what the heck I just experienced. An alphabetical list does seem like the kind of thing Gabriel would do to remain impartial, but I don't know about him being cruel and heartless because of it. Definitely wary of anything that girl just told me, especially because no matter what, she's still part of the original Fudo, and if they wanted to, the three of them could team up and knock out both Cherry and myself. I'll keep the words in mind, but I won't think I'm safe yet. Especially, not after the last vote."

End Confessional


As Gran went about doing his camp chores, he soon found himself being approached by Cherry of all people.

Great.

What did she want?

He turned to face her, expecting some sort of mean-spirited quip about his work ethic or something.

He was only half right.

"Since you probably aren't aware, given you're you," Cherry began. "Allow me to spell out the situation. There is a final five alliance that you are not a part of. It consists of myself, Watts, Ellie, Erin, and Mirai. Our plan going into the challenge was to vote either Alison or Aaron off depending on who lost, but Rashi being gone isn't that much of a dealbreaker. The only one who might dislike it is Mirai, and she's honestly not very reliable socially. You seem about equal to her in terms of challenge prowess, which is why we have her in the first place. If you want to take her place, you're welcome to. It will get you farther in the game than you'd make it on your own."

"I… was not expecting that offer." Gran admitted. "But I refuse."

"Why?" Cherry's brow furrowed. "It's a good deal. You'll be in the majority come the merge, and you, Ellie, and I can cut the Fudos at the Final Five. They don't have any sort of medal to protect them, so it'd be a piece of cake."

"I understand what you're implying." Gran shook his head. "But quite frankly, I like Mirai and don't want to force her out of her own spot in the alliance."

"You're falling back into stupidity." Cherry crossed her arms. "No one else will work with you, you know, especially since I know you voted for Rashi with me. I'm trying to offer you an opportunity here. It's extraordinarily foolish of you to refuse to take it."

"Fine." Gran groaned. "If it gets you off my back, I'll offer you a counter deal. I won't replace Mirai, but I'll vote with you and Watts until the merge, because I do need allies on this team."

"Alright." Cherry shrugged. "I suppose as shortsighted as your plan is for you, it's perfectly acceptable for me." She held out a hand.

Gran shook it.


Confessional: Cherry: Team Hayaji

"Now that I think about it… this imbecile requires so much coaching, and he's so unthreatening, that he might just be a good secret ally to have going into the merge. At least until I'm sure I won't need him anyways."

End Confessional


Confessional: Gran: Team Hayaji

"So, knowing what Alison has told me, and now what Cherry has told me… it looks like it's either Gabriel or Alison going home if we lose again. But with that all squared away, I still have to figure out what's going to happen when Phooko realizes Rashi was eliminated. He's going to be so upset, and Mirai will probably be upset too. Hrm… For now… if they ask me in private… I'll tell them that it was a 3-3 tie and Rashi lost. That should at least buy me until next week."

End Confessional


Meanwhile, as Gabriel and Watts gathered firewood, the politician brought up his misgivings.

"I need to tell you honestly…" He talked in a whisper so that no one who might be around would hear. "I'm disappointed that you didn't get rid of Alison when you had the chance. I really hope we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot by keeping her here."

"We didn't shoot ourselves in the foot." Watts shook his head. "It's in our best interest to thin the Ebisu numbers before a merge. In fact, if we lose again, it might also be a better idea to get rid of Gran over Alison."

"I think that makes sense in a game where you control all the pieces, Watts, but this isn't that." Gabriel shook his head. "We don't have control of Alison or Gran, and neither of them has demonstrated any sort of team loyalty. One, however, we know to be untrustworthy. She seems like an easy vote-off. Otherwise, I might have to consider the possibility she's gotten to you."

"I don't follow." Watts cocked, his head, confused.

Gabriel sighed. "I know you really liked the more clever heroes on Zero Sum."

"Hubert and Zastin were definitely my favorites." Watts nodded.

"Then do you think maybe you just want to be sure you have a villain to fight? To be like the players you admired?"

"I-" Watt's eyes widened. "I hadn't thought of that, but now that you mention it, Gabriel… Alison's strategy has been remarkably similar to one of the villains from that same season. That said, I still stand by my decision to vote off Rashi. Before we start getting rid of any villains, our goal as a pair needs to be dissolving team lines as much as possible."

"Does that make the merge easier somehow?" Gabriel asked. "We're the only team without a medal to make use of as far as I'm aware, doesn't that make us the least threatening? The other teams can cannibalize each other."

"Theoretically…" Watts admitted. "But team lines are already blurring. They're blurring far more than in Zero Sum as well. Thankfully though, I've managed to memorize a few strategies from that cabin I was holed up in back during the first quarter of the game. However, they require 5 or maybe even 6 contestants to pull off. Not enough team members on any team left for that kind of play, so the more individual everyone is, the easier it will be."


Confessional: Gabriel: Team Hayaji

"But… I feel like he's said we merge at 9 don't we? There's barely any time to make use of any of those strategies, especially if any challenge happens to be sudden death. I hate to break it to you, Watts, but I think you might have fallen into someone's trap."

End Confessional


Confessional: Watts: Team Hayaji

"I'm aware there isn't much time to make use of these strategies, but they can be extremely effective in shaping the merge the way you want it to go, and as long as that chance exists, I'm going to take it. For me to even be able to though, I can't have the teams united under their banners. I need them divided."

End Confessional


Location: Lower Ceol Fields (Luxury Campsite)

Contestant(s): Aaron, Ellie, Erin, Mirai, Monica, Phooko

Aaron relaxed on his own in the hot tub as he ate some of Chef's breakfast.

"Are you really sure you of all people are allowed to relax?" Monica crossed her arms as she came out of the cabin to see Aaron in the hot tub.

"Everyone is welcome to join me." Aaron shrugged. "More than enough room. And yes, I think I'm sitting pretty."

"You're delusional."

"I'm a detective." Aaron smiled. "Someone managed to catch Rashi helping me during the last challenge. In all likelihood, it was probably Alison, and she used it as an excuse to get her voted off. Sad to lose someone so loyal to Ebisu, but it's clear to me that forces are at work dissolving team banners. Ebisu trying to stick together would have been a fool's errand."

"Okayyyy?" Monica gestured with her hand for Aaron to get to the point. "How does this in any way help you?"

"Because it's going to send both Mirai and Phooko off the deep end." He replied.

"What about me?" Phooko poked his head out of the cabin door.

"Just saying how Mirai is probably depending on you." Aaron had the lie prepared. "Don't mind us, just strategizing from the bottom."

"'Aight." Phooko went back into the cabin.

"Just as long as you aren't the one pressing the buttons." Monica sighed and left Aaron to himself.

Aaron snickered as he looked into a nearby camera. "That's the point."


Confessional: Aaron: Team Ebisu

"Alright, so while both Monica and myself have immunity medals, we, theoretically, have the ability to send home whoever we want on Ebisu. For maximum effectiveness, targeting Ellie or her allies, Erin and Mirai, are our best bet for turning things around in our favor, since they are the only people I know that are at least ostensibly working together. As for why I'm keeping the elimination a secret, it's because of the impact it will have on them. Much stronger if Phooko and Mirai see the result of that ceremony without any warning going into it."

End Confessional


After Phooko left the cabin, Ellie, Erin, and Mirai all got down to business.

"Alright, had a great sleep and here to greet another amazing day!" Mirai stretched happily.

"You seem happy." Ellie smiled.

"Of course!" Mirai laughed back. "No way that British bitch hasn't been eliminated!"


Confessional: Mirai: Team Ebisu

"I'm on freaking cloud nine this morning. Aaron knows what's good for him so he's been giving me space, and Alison's the obvious vote out from the other team, so all I need to focus on is strategizing with Ellie and Erin about the challenge. We might not have seen much of him, but Watts loves to talk about the original Zero Sum cast, and he's said to both Erin and me that the challenge will probably be more athletic, and that is something I'm great at!"

End Confessional


Confessional: Ellie: Team Ebisu

"I'm certainly enjoying this luxury camp, what with having all those resources available at once. Hopefully Cherry made it through elimination alright. I know Mirai is optimistic, but I'm not so sure Watts took anything I said too seriously. After all, we're pretty much strangers."

End Confessional


Confessional: Erin: Team Ebisu

"I'm hoping the next challenge will let me interact a little with Watts because there are some… uh… emotions that I think it's best that he hear or see me try to express. That said, I intend to focus on the game first and foremost, and not a single thing is going to change my mind on that front! To that end, while I hope Alison was eliminated because I can't stand her, as long as it wasn't one of our alliance members, I'm happy. Mirai on the other hand… she's really really hoping for Alison, and I'm not looking forward to her reaction if it turns out someone else went home instead."

End Confessional


"If I remember from the preview…" Ellie racked her brain. "Peter was labeled the city kid or something like that."

"So we're probably in for some running, climbing, maybe navigating a maze…" Erin considered.

"Possibly some kind of following riddles to get to a specific location like an address." Mirai concurred.

"Well, as long as we prepare for those kinds of challenges, we should have a fighting chance." Ellie smiled. "I think we're done here."

"Yep." Mirai nodded. "And even if we do lose, we can probably get Phooko to vote with us against Aaron anyways! Alright, see you two later~!"

After they made sure, Mirai had left the cabin, Erin and Ellie moved in closer and began to talk in hushed whispers.

"Listen, Ellie," Erin began. "Watts can be kind of idiotic when it comes to thinking more empathetically. If he didn't eliminate Alison, Mirai's going to have, and probably throw, a cow."

"Do you think it's better to just cut her then?" Ellie asked. "Like, even outside of the game standpoint, this girl was cheated on and still has to spend every day with the person who cheated on her. It might even be more humane to just remove her from the situation. I can't imagine how it'll affect her mental health to stay with both Aaron and Alison."

"And once we let her go, we can bring in Phooko. He doesn't seem to have any real allegiances, just a relationship with Rashi."

"Who might not even still be on that team." Ellie mentioned.

Erin nodded. "It also helps that Phooko has a bit more of a level head."

"Alright then. If we happen to lose, we'll consider cutting and replacing Mirai with Phooko."

Ellie and Erin nodded at each other and also left the cabin.

Further down the fields, Phooko was tending a small garden.


Confessional: Phooko: Team Ebisu

"Considering how much time I spent with Rashi, I haven't picked up nearly as much gardening as I would have liked to."

End Confessional


As he gardened, Monica approached him.

"Still being indecisive?" She chided.

"Nope." Phooko shook his head. "I've decided."

He turned to face Monica.

He looked her straight in the eyes.

"I've decided I'm going to oppose you and Aaron."

"It's not a good idea to make enemies out of people you don't need to make enemies out of." Monica warned.

"Well, if everyone bands together, the most you and Aaron can eliminate is two people, not even consecutively either. Villains like you guys only get as far as you do because no one does anything to stop you earlier."

"Hmph." Monica hid a laugh. "Saying that after half the cast has already been eliminated makes you look like a sore loser." She turned away from Phooko. "You're signing your death warrant, but that's fine. Aaron says there are only two more challenges before the merge anyways, so eliminating two people is all we need. Have fun placing in a lower number than third."


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"Sometimes it's beyond me how some of these people have made it as far as they have. Aaron, Phooko, Mirai, sheesh. And don't even get me started on pretty much all of the final Hayaji."

End Confessional


As Monica left, Phooko noticed Mirai and left his crops to go talk to her. The sun was already nearing its peak. Chris was going to call the challenge soon, he was sure of it.

"Mirai, Mirai!" He called out.

She turned her head.

"Phooko, what's happening?"

"I wanted to talk to you before the challenge." Phooko answered as he caught up with her.

"Last week, Gran was eager about you, me, him, and Rashi making it to the final four together. That sounds like a good deal, doesn't it?"

"Hrm…" Mirai frowned and thought to herself. "The problem is, I'm already in a separate alliance, however…" She smiled. "Since it conveniently eliminates my targets, we can head up to the final 8, and then maybe something good can happen. You get my meaning?"

"Yeah, I think I do." Phooko nodded with a grin.


Confessional: Phooko: Team Ebisu

"Alright, and that's a lock on Mirai's loyalty to our final four alliance with Gran. Now we just need to reunite with him and Rashi and the final 9 and vote out whoever that ninth person will be and it can be easy cruising for us!"

End Confessional


Location: Nialasach Ruins

Contestant(s): All Remaining

"Come on in, Final 11!" Chris announced as all the remaining contestants made their way back down into the Nialasach Ruins, where a boy in a tweed jacket, khaki pants, brown loafers, and a brown fedora was waiting for them.

"'Ey 'ow's it goin'?" He asked with a grin. "Y're da new players den? Name's Peter Doyle. Hope'n ya don't mind the teams my gal chose for ya' back on Day 1."

"I very much mind." Monica spoke up. "Not a single one of them is even still here."

"Dat ain't no ones fault but yurs." Peter shrugged.

"I have a question!" Mirai's hand shot up. "What the heck is she still doing in this game?" She pointed towards Alison, who gasped.

"Why, I thought it was obvious that I was playing this game." she responded.

"A better question." Phooko rose a hand. "Where the heck is Rashi? Why would you guys keep Alison over her?"

Gran looked down at the ground.

"If y'all don' mind…" Peter yawned. "I gots a challenge to introduce here! Y'all probs remember going down into dese here ruins durin' Victor's challenge. Well, you're goin' back down again! Dis time wit guns! Paintball guns! In pairs o' two you'll be responsible for painting as much o' da ruins in your teams color as you possibly can. After 5 rounds have passed, whichever team has most o' the ruins in their color wins the luxury camp. Losing team not only goes to da loser camp, but dey gotta give someone da axe."

"I have a question." Cherry brought her hand up. "Do you speak English?"

"Hey!" Peter broke his accent. "I'm trying to do a bit here! Anyways, Team Ebisu, you have one member too many, who is sitting out?"

"I am." Mirai announced.

"What?" Monica asked. "You're one of our most athletic people!"

"I'm sitting this one out." Mirai bit her lip as her hands balled into fists. "I… I don't want to have to compete against her."

Alison snickered to herself.


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"This should make winning a little easier if that psycho bitch isn't playing!"

End Confessional


Confessional: Ellie: Team Ebisu

"I admire your, probably good idea, to remove yourself from this challenge Mirai, and I hope you know that it's the same line of reasoning that's informing my decision to vote for you should we lose."

End Confessional


"One last thing 'fore we start…" Peter mentioned. "If ya want, ya can use the paint in yur guns tah knock out yur rivals. Just keep in mind, ya' get limited ammo to paint the town with. Now den, let's draw for slots and we'll get started!"


Challenge: Painting The Town

Rules: In pairs of two, teams will compete in paintball shootouts. The goal is to paint more of the 'city' in your team's color than the other team can paint in their color. Hitting the other team with paint to try to incapacitate them is acceptable, but you have limited paint ammo, so missing will be a waste you can't get back. After 5 matchups, Peter will tally the amount of white paint (Hayaji) and blue paint (Ebisu) and announce a winner. The winning team gets to live at the luxury camp in the Lower Ceol Fields. The losing team will have to live at the loser camp in the Glas Woods, as well as attend the Tine Naofa Bonfire Elimination Ceremony and vote one of their own off the island.

Matchups:

Cherry and Watts VS Erin and Aaron

Gran and Alison VS Ellie and Monica

Watts and Gabriel VS Aaron and Phooko

Alison and Cherry VS Monica and Erin

Gabriel and Gran VS Phooko and Ellie

(Mirai is sitting out for Team Ebisu)


Round 1: Cherry and Watts VS Erin and Aaron

"Round 1!" Peter announced. "We have Cherry and Watts for Hayaji, and Erin and Aaron for Ebisu! Get ready… get set… PAINT! DAT! TOWN!"

"Okay we should-" Watts began but Cherry was already off on her own, shooting paintballs all over the walls. "Okay, I guess we're going solo."


Confessional: Watts: Team Hayaji

"I'd have preferred to have a game plan with her, but I guess some people just want to finish the challenge right away."

End Confessional


Confessional: Cherry: Team Hayaji

"This is the first round. We don't need a game plan yet. It should be simple. You shoot the wall where there is no white paint. If you see the enemy, you shoot them too. Don't miss. There, that's it."

End Confessional


"I'll take the east side, you take the west side!" Aaron directed.

Erin nodded.

They both went their separate ways and began shooting the walls with their blue paint.


Confessional: Aaron: Team Ebisu

"It's always good to have game plans going into these challenges, even simple ones. Just making sure you and your partner are on the same page could make all the difference."

End Confessional


As Watts shot the walls, he ran into Aaron.

Both contestants almost immediately cocked their guns on each other.

"I really don't want to waste any of this ammo on you…" Watts warned. "But I will if I have to."

"Likewise…" Aaron nodded.

Both contestants walked past each other, never looking away.

Until finally, they were out of each other's sight and continued to shoot the walls with paint, overriding each other's progress.


Confessional: Aaron: Team Ebisu

"A calculated risk. It'd be effective to take him out, but I think he'd be able to dodge more shots than I'd be willing to give up."

End Confessional


Cherry and Erin soon noticed each other on their own paths.

They locked onto each other as well.

"What's the deal with the Rashi vote?" Erin asked.

"She was helping your team with the challenges." Cherry responded. "And seemed to desire bringing Ebisu back together. Too much of a liability to a final five alliance that includes an Ebisu member."

"Well, maybe not for long given her reactions. We'll bring in Phooko to replace her though, so it's all the same, especially now that he has no allies."

"Understood." Cherry nodded. "Now then, sorry about this." She shot paint at Erin, who tried to roll out of the way but couldn't, and found herself quickly on her knees. However, she was able to return the favor to Cherry as the circus girl attempted to run away.

"Eye for an eye." She panted.

"TIME!" Peter called, ending Round 1.


Score: Hayaji: 39%, Ebisu: 61%

Round 2: Gran and Alison VS Ellie and Monica

""Round 2!" Peter announced. "We have Gran and Alison for Hayaji, and Ellie and Monica for Ebisu! Get ready… get set… PAINT! DAT! TOWN!""

"Go, go, go!" Gran announced as he and Alison stuck together shooting the walls as a cohesive unit, blazing through any blue paint they came across.

Ellie and Monica, meanwhile, were busy trying to make sure they didn't even cross paths with Gran and Alison.

They had no reason to talk to them, and they didn't want to get shot with paint and slowed down.

Unfortunately for them, the time they took to avoid their rivals is precisely what slowed them down anyways.

Slowly but surely, Ebisu began to lose their lead as Hayaji gained ground in terms of paint on the walls.


Confessional: Gran: Team Hayaji

"Woo! Go, Hayaji, go! We're going to win this freaking challenge and get ourselves into that luxury camp!"

End Confessional


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"That luxury camp has a shower, it has beds, it has the freaking cabin and towels and food, I will not spend another night in the loser camp, and I promise you that!"

End Confessional


Confessional: Ellie: Team Ebisu

"Look, I'm not very athletic alright? I can hold my own sometimes, but usually uh, I can't. I really wanted to be the one sitting out this challenge too, but uh… there were certain other circumstances that took priority before that, I feel."

End Confessional


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"Mirai is supposed to be here instead of Ellie right now, and boy is it showing. She's only digging herself a deeper hole in her own alliance. That said… she may have some uses yet. I'd rather a more loyal member of that alliance go home if I can help it."

End Confessional


"TIME!" Peter called, ending Round 2.


Score: Hayaji: 52%, Ebisu: 48%

Round 3: Watts and Gabriel VS Aaron and Phooko

"Round 3!" Peter announced. "We have Watts and Gabriel for Hayaji, and Aaron and Phooko for Ebisu! Get ready… get set… PAINT! THAT! TOWN!""

"CHAAARGE!" Both pairs of men understood that the only way they were going to get anywhere in the challenge would be to go absolutely hogwild.

Paint flew everywhere.

Swirls of blue and white dripped down the walls.

The ruins had turned into a warzone as the color coded paintballs flew overhead.

"Watts!" Gabriel noticed a shot from Aaron and managed to block it with his body. "You're faster! Go get as much of the wall as you can!"

"Right!" Watts nodded as he took off and Gabriel gave him covering fire.

"Crapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrap…" Aaron moved serpentine through the onslaught, using what time he could to shoot both back at Gabriel and also up at the walls.

"Where do you think you're going?" Phooko asked Watts as he rounded the corner.

"I'm painting the walls!" Watts announced with a laugh as he shot at the walls behind Phooko, occasionally tripping as Phooko shot paint to reclaim the walls as well as trip Watts.

This action went on for some time, covering pretty much each participant in paint almost as much as they had covered the walls of the ruins.

"TIME!" Peter called, ending Round 3.


Score: Hayaji: 58%, Ebisu: 42%

Round 4: Alison and Cherry VS Monica and Erin

"Round 4!" Peter announced. "We have Alison and Cherry for Hayaji, and Monica and Erin for Ebisu! Get ready… get set… PAINT! THAT! TOWN!"

"Alright Monica…" Erin took the lead. "I know you like to lead, but I know the enemy a bit better here. The very first thing we're going to do is shoot at Alison. It'll pay off, trust me."

"Don't have a better plan, I'll cosign on yours for now." Monica nodded.

The pair rushed off into the ruins. They weren't bothering to shoot the wall until they found their competition.

After twists and turns, they finally heard the clicking of her heels.

"There she is!" Monica found her at the end of a passage and opened fire.

"Gyaaah! What the fuck? You daft *BLEEP*s?" Alison asked as she dropped her gun and tried to shake all the paint off of her. "It's in my clothes, my skin, my fucking hair! You're both dead!"

"Now we can get to work on the walls." Erin nodded to Monica.

They both began to shower the walls in their blue paint.

Cherry did what she could to counteract this as Alison focused mainly on cleaning herself, but it was clear. She was losing ground.


Confessional: Cherry: Team Hayaji

"I'm actually rather proud of myself for that round. I was essentially going solo and I still held my own, even if I lost ground. I didn't lose enough to give them the lead at least."

End Confessional


Confessional: Erin: Team Ebisu

"Good to know that Alison still has her fatal flaws about her. She should remember that just because she avoided elimination once doesn't mean that she's safe."

End Confessional


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"I'm starting to respect Erin's intellect a lot more, which is threatening. She doesn't have my best interests at heart and she's a strategic threat. If she was a solo player it'd be one thing, but she's part of an alliance. All the more reason to focus on breaking it up, I suppose."

End Confessional


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"Look, I put a lot of work into my appearance, okay? Especially my hair. Erin should fucking know not to mess with it. I hope she learns the fucking hard way just what happens to people who cross me!"

End Confessional


"TIME!" Peter called, ending Round 4. "We're tied at 50 percent each, which means this final round is going to decide it!"


Score: Hayaji: 50%, Ebisu: 50%

Round 5: Gabriel and Gran VS Phooko and Ellie

"Round 5!" Peter announced. "We have Gabriel and Gran for Hayaji, and Phooko and Ellie for Ebisu! Get ready… get set… PAINT! THAT! TOWN!"

"This is it Gran, you ready?" Gabriel asked.

"Ready as ever!" Gran nodded. "Let's get ourselves that luxury campsite!"

"Ellie, we don't have to beat them by much, just by a hair. Think we can do it?"

"I know we can!" Ellie nodded with a smile. "Let's make sure we can return to our luxury campsite!"

Both pairs of contestants charged into the ruins.

Paint flew everywhere.

Walls changed colors and rapid speeds.

Players were hit with paint and tumbled before getting up and just continuing what they were doing.

Eventually, Gran and Phooko ran into each other.

"Phooko!" Gran called.

"Gran!" Phooko called back. "Before I pelt you with paint, you better tell me what happened that resulted in Rashi's elimination!"

"It was a 3-3 tie!" Gran lied right away. "She lost to Alison in rock-paper-scissors!"

Phooko narrowed his eyes.

"How are we supposed to get to the final 3 from the merge?" He asked. "With 4 we might be able to flip someone, but with 3 we're down at a huge disadvantage. Our deal is off!"

Both players began to shoot their paintballs at each other, taking each other out of commission as they were coated in blue and white.

Gabriel and Ellie meanwhile continued rushing through the town, shooting as much of the walls with paint as they possibly could.


Confessional: Gabriel: Team Hayaji

"I've worked my butt off here. I hope I managed to get us our victory. I don't want to have to spend all of this section of the game in the loser camp, after all."

End Confessional


Confessional: Ellie: Team Hayaji

"Well, I've done what I could. I hope I did well enough to win it for us. I'd much rather we never have to go to elimination until the merge hits, y'know?"

End Confessional


"TIME!" Peter called, ending Round 5. "That's a wrap on the challenge! I'll be goin' over da scores so err'body get back outside!"


Location: Nialasach Ruins (Above Ground)

Contestant(s): All Remaining

"Our final score… " Peter announced. "The winning team…

With a total of…

… 78% of the wall painted…

… Is…

… Team…

… Hayaji! Congratulations Team Hayaji! You're switching over to the luxury camp! Team Ebisu, it looks like you're losing not only your sweet digs, but also one of your members! Chris'll see you at Tine Naofa later tonight! Anyways, peace!"


Confessional: Aaron: Team Ebisu

"Man, it sucks losing both our stuff and a member, but it'll serve as good motivation going forwards. Besides, call it wishful thinking, but I'm not so sure I'm on the bottom anymore. Of course… I also have a bit of an idea of how to cause some extra chaos as well. I got it during the challenge."

End Confessional


Location: Lower Ceol Fields (Luxury Campsite)

Contestant(s): Alison, Cherry, Gabriel, Gran, Watts

"Woooo!" Alison cheered as Team Hayaji arrived in the luxury camp. "Oh, how I missed you, amenities!"


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"We. Fucking. Won! Woo! I get to shower, I get to use towels, and sleep on a mattress in a cabin. I get to eat real food, and I'm safe for another freaking week! Oh, I am loving life right now!"

End Confessional


"It is nice to have a camp full of stuff after that challenge." Cherry nodded. She turned to Gran. "Speaking of, you did well this time, magic kid."

"O-oh…" Gran was not expecting praise coming from her mouth. "T-thanks. Y-you did well too."


Confessional: Cherry: Team Hayaji

"I'm pleased with the win mainly because it will be easier for the final five alliance to force a vote their way on the opposing team rather than on this one. I also need time to get Gran more used to the idea of working alongside me if my own personal ambitions are to pick up any traction."

End Confessional


Confessional: Gran: Team Hayaji

"Oh yeah, we wooooon! Woooo! I'm safe so there's that, Cherry is easing up on me, Alison wants to work with me, I'm in a great spot right now! Even if Phooko says our deal is off, I at least avoided an earful about voting his girlfriend off, and assuming I get further I might be able to actually worm my way into that final five alliance Cherry mentioned. Or I guess a final 6 alliance if I'm included haha!"

End Confessional


"What's wrong?" Watts asked Gabriel. "We won, we should celebrate! The loser campsite team never won back on Zero Sum, this is an accomplishment!"

"I'm happy for the win, of course." Gabriel nodded. "But I'm still a little uneasy. It gives Alison more time to get her footing."


Confessional: Gabriel: Team Hayaji

"And now I should probably think about what will happen next depending on whoever is eliminated on the other team. If it's Aaron, that's good. It's a villain out of the way, and the game will be easier for us all to play. If Ellie is eliminated, that's neutral for me, but I know Watts was at least curious about working with her, so that might cause a little bit of tension. If it's Erin, that's bad. She seems fairly loyal to Watts and I as far as I'm aware, and can act as our bridge to the other members of that team. For the purpose of blurring team lines, she's our key. If it's Mirai, that's also kind of bad. Her enemies are also our enemies, and to lose that extra vote could be costly. If it's Monica, that's probably the least likely to change any dynamics, considering she's been a fairly solo player all game, and doesn't have any loyal allies. Finally there's Phooko. I still remember my talks with Phooko earlier during Freya's challenge. He's a good kid. If at all possible, I'd like to work with him as well, so him being voted off is also a small loss, but more of a personal one than a strategic one."

End Confessional


"It's fine. She can search for footing all she wants. We just won't give her anything." Watts responded to Gabriel. "Besides, I can finally show you the strategies that have been written in the cabin while Alison is busy in the shower."

Watts opened the door to find a completely clean cabin.

"What the heck?!" He rushed inside frantically. "Where is all the writing?"

"Oh that?" Cherry asked. "Zaheen and I cleaned that ages ago."

"You what?!"

"We cleaned it." Cherry replied more clearly. "Get your ears checked."

"Cherry, those were strategies specifically for an alliance of five or six people, sound familiar? And they were written by Hubert himself!"

"I don't give a shit." Cherry shrugged. "But Simon did seem to think that you were wrong on who left the message."

"What?"

"Ugh." Cherry rolled her eyes. "Simon said that when he looked at the cabin, even if some of the writing might have been Hubert's, most of it had been tampered with by someone else. Someone who does not share his handwriting."


Confessional: Watts: Team Hayaji

"Not Hubert's… handwriting…? Well then freaking whose?"

End Confessional


Location: Glas Woods (Loser Campsite)

Contestant(s): Aaron, Ellie, Erin, Mirai, Monica, Phooko

"Calm-" Phooko tried to calm Mirai down but he wasn't having luck.

"NO! I will NOT calm down!" She snapped back. "They have no intention of voting off Alison if they lose again, and YOU!" She turned towards Ellie and Erin. "You two are hesitant to even consider voting for Aaron. You haven't given me a single affirmation of that plan! It's fucking CLEAR to me that this alliance doesn't have my best interests at heart. I am DONE with it!"

"Mirai, what about getting rid of the villains?" Phooko tried to rein her in. "We need their numbers!"

"If their oh so powerful alliance isn't willing to make the moves to get rid of the villains, then they are complicit! No matter what, I'm still voting for Aaron, it's on them to get rid of him with me!"

And with that, Mirai stormed off.

"I…" Aaron spoke from the fire he was tending. "I really hope you aren't going to vote for me. I haven't done a single thing to harm this team or its performance in challenges."

"We can talk about this to each other on our own time." Ellie sighed. "It's best we focus on setting up camp so we don't have to worry about it after coming back from Tine Naofa."

As everyone went about their chores, Aaron hid a smile.

He had it.

He had all the pieces of the puzzle.

And he was slowly fitting them together.


Confessional: Aaron: Team Ebisu

"Now, back in the Final 11 of Zero Sum… Oswald Pamesi made quite the impact when he eliminated Peter by extorting a vote out of Zastin. My situation is different, and so is my plan, but I think the impact will be quite similar."

End Confessional


Ellie was working on reed blankets for everyone when she noticed Phooko come up to her.

"Oh? Hello Phooko, what can I do for you?"

"Mirai's a lost cause." He mentioned. "Let me join the final five alliance in her place."

"I say we let him." Erin appeared with some firewood. "Nothing against her as a person, but I just can't deal with Mirai while she has all this baggage and we have more to worry about than just her."

"Alright then." Ellie sighed. "I had a feeling this was bound to happen anyways. I hope you're ready to vote Mirai off in order to take her place, Phooko."

"But… Mirai's already voting for Aaron, wouldn't it be better to just pile on top of it?"

"No." Erin shook her head. "Mirai is too unpredictable. Aaron at least is theoretically harmless until the merge hits. Mirai's votes carry more weight than his, and if we can't control where they go, we need to make sure they don't go towards us. There's only one way to do that."

"Not to mention…" Ellie brought up. "That she's clearly hurting right now, and being around Aaron or Alison any longer might break her. It's better for everyone's sanity, including hers, if we just eliminate her."

"I don't like this…" Phooko shook his head. "But I asked to join this alliance, and if I have to do this, I will."


Confessional: Phooko: Team Ebisu

"This feels gross, but if Gran will stand idly by and lie to my face about votes, and yes, I could tell he was lying, then I don't need to feel as bad when I get rid of his little crush."

End Confessional


Confessional: Erin: Team Ebisu

"As far as I'm concerned, Mirai was too risky to keep the first time she got into a fight with Alison. I don't want people like her bringing attention to me by proxy. I hope she hasn't already turned too many heads in our direction."

End Confessional


Confessional: Ellie: Team Ebisu

"The worst part about this vote, to me, is that it most certainly would not have turned out this way if the last ceremony had gone differently. If Watts had only gotten rid of Alison, it would unquestionably have been Aaron's head on the chopping block tonight."

End Confessional


"Alright Monica, it's time." Aaron smiled as he approached Monica.

"Time for what? The elimination ceremony?"

"Well, yes, but also time to enact my plan."

"You don't have a plan." She rolled her eyes. "You're just going to dogpile on Mirai like everyone else."

Aaron smiled. "Before you assume…" He walked up closer. "Listen to this. I've been sitting on this hand for a while, but…" He whispered his plan into Monica's ear.

Her lips curved into a smile, and then parted as she began to snicker, and finally split as she laughed nearly uncontrollably. "Ohhh oh my island gods, really?"

"Absolutely seriously." Aaron nodded. He put a finger to his lips. "But we have to keep it under wraps, even at the ceremony. They can't see it coming."


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"You know, I wasn't entirely sure what was going through Hayaji's heads when they got rid of Rashi, but I bet they weren't expecting the kind of retaliation that they're about to get."

End Confessional


Location: Tine Naofa Bonfire Campfire Ceremony

Contestant(s): Aaron, Ellie, Erin, Mirai, Monica, Phooko

"Welcome, Team Ebisu," Chris smiled, "To the Tine Naofa Bonfire Elimination ceremony. Congratulations on being the first team in history to lose while living in the luxury campsite."

"Gee thanks." Phooko snarked at Chris.

"Challenge talk." Chris got into it. "Mirai. You sat out. Arguably one of the most athletic people on this whole show. And you said it was because you didn't want to compete against Alison."

"If I were to go up against her, it would have only hurt our team's chances." Mirai responded in a low voice. "It doesn't help that she was supposed to go home last week as far as me and my allies were concerned. But then she didn't, and the people I thought were allies, rather than doubling down on voting that clown out." She pointed to Aaron, earning some nervous laughs from the others, "they decided to distance themselves from me."

"So you think it's you tonight."

"Might be me, Chris." Mirai nodded. "But I'm still voting for the clown. If anyone has the courage to make that play with me they can be my guest, but I don't have faith in these people anymore."

"Erin, Mirai mentions she doesn't have faith in these people, and to me it seems like she's referring to the whole team. We're getting closer to the merge each day, and faith and trust are going to become very important."

"I agree completely." Erin nodded. "But trust is always a two-way street. We have to be able to trust her, and have faith in her, and if she has to sit out of challenges that she'd be good at because she doesn't trust herself to stay nonviolent, it's going to be hard for us to trust her as well."

"But here she is, stating, hey, I'm going to vote for Aaron."

"Tonight." Erin nodded. "Might sing a different tune the next night."

"They're paranoid and ridiculous, Chris." Mirai crossed her legs.

"What's ridiculous is this whole situation." Phooko groaned. "So Alison wasn't voted off, so what? I have more reason to be mad about it than you. Rashi was voted off. She was my number one ally. Will I forgive the people that did it? Maybe in the future. Not anytime soon. But I'm not about to go off on them, and I certainly am not about to legitimately fight them!"

"You fucking-" Mirai snapped. "You'd be singing a different tune if you caught your boyfriend cheating on you and people promised to eliminate him and the wench he cheated with!"

"I'm glad she brought that up." Ellie spoke. "Because I was hoping Alison would be eliminated just like her, but if we can't trust that side to eliminate one of those people… I think it's better for Mirai mentally if we just vote her out, and let her relax somewhere comfortable without having to worry about all of this."

"I'm also glad she brought that up." Aaron mentioned. "Because I maintain that I was taken advantage of and manipulated, that stance hasn't changed."

"Whatever you fucking liar." Mirai rolled her eyes. "I've fought that bitch. She's not so strong you couldn't break free before she gave you a fucking hickey."

"Monica." Chris smiled. "You've been quiet, anything to add to this?"

"One thing." Monica smiled back. "I'm glad it's not me involved in that hurricane of destruction. Even if I was without my medal, I'd feel fairly safe tonight."

"Tonight." Erin repeated. "Might sing a different tune the next night."

"And with that…" Chris announced. "It's time to vote! Alphabetical order. Aaron, you're up."


Confessional: Aaron: Team Ebisu

"I know exactly who is truly behind Rashi's elimination. I want you to consider this vote, a formal declaration of war."

End Confessional


After Aaron came back, Ellie went up.


Confessional: Ellie: Team Ebisu

"I'm sorry, Mirai. But I'm sure you'll feel better if you have time to relax and take your mind off of things."

End Confessional


After Ellie came back, Erin went up.


Confessional: Erin: Team Ebisu

"Your heart is in the right place, but I don't know if your mind is. I hope you feel better, but I can't babysit you."

End Confessional


After Erin returned, Mirai went up.

"This vote is for that fucking liar-ass Aaron!" She spoke so loudly she didn't need a confessional. "I hope everyone else realizes that you're a shark in a koi pond and just gets their act together and gets rid of you!"

After Mirai returned, Monica was sent up.


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"I love this play. I cannot wait to see the look on your face."

End Confessional


Finally, it was Phooko's turn.


Confessional: Phooko: Team Ebisu

"I like you, but I'm not strong enough to carry people. That includes you."

End Confessional


"Alright…" Chris came back after tallying the votes. "I have with me a plate of five immunity medals. If I call your name, come up and receive a medal. You are safe. If you do not receive a medal, you must immediately enter the Tomb of Shame and give up any hope of winning money off of this season of Total Drama. Now then… if anyone has a hidden immunity medal, and would like to play it… now would be the time to do so."

Erin looked around.

Phooko stretched.

Ellie kept a hand near her bag but didn't move.

Monica stretched with a smile.

Mirai bit her lip as she stared at the fire.

Aaron sighed.

And stood up.

"Chris." He grinned.

Every head except Monica's turned, shocked, to see him take the Fish Medal out of his bag. "I've been sitting on this for a while, but I think in order to prove my sincerity… now is the time to use it."

"Nooo… " Phooko had trouble hiding an excited grin even as he worried about what was happening.

"And so…" Aaron continued as Monica had trouble containing her laughter. "I'd like to play this Fish Medal…"

He turned around. The fire lit his wide grin. "For Mirai."

"You're kidding." Erin's jaw was agape.

"Dead serious." Aaron sat back down.

"This is the Fish Immunity Medal. And Mirai is an original member of Team Ebisu, any votes cast against her will not count."

"Dude, she said she was voting for you!" Phooko exclaimed. "You could have just idoled yourself out of the game."

"I could have." Aaron grinned. "But that would require more than her to have voted for me."

"Mirai." Chris held up a medal from the plate. "Come on up, the first medal of five is yours. Good thing too, or it would have been you heading home."


Confessional: Mirai: Team Ebisu

"I… I was saved… by Aaron? M-maybe he really was taken advantage of… I mean, that's a huge risk he's taking just to keep me around…"

End Confessional


"Monica. You're safe too." Chris held out a medal.

Monica walked up and gracefully took it with a bow.

Chris turned to Ellie, Erin, Phooko, and Aaron.

"Phooko." He grinned.

Phooko didn't waste any time in getting out of his seat and grabbing his medal, joining Mirai and Monica.

Chris looked over the remaining three players. "Ellie."

Ellie put a hand on her heart and walked up to receive her medal.


Confessional: Ellie: Team Ebisu

"Wait a minute… if… if I'm here then… no… ohhhh nonononono… craaaaap! He got us!"

End Confessional


"The final medal of the night…" Chris smirked. "Goes to…

… Aaron."

"Booyah!" Aaron jumped up and took the last medal before turning towards Erin. "Sorry, Erin. If it's any consolation, it was because you were that bridge of the two true halves of that alliance."

"Freaking… not only idoled out, but blindsided to boot. I… I'm actually kind of impressed. But I'm still pissed. I hope you lose."

"Oh, you want me to join you in the Tomb of Shame?"

"If it means you don't win, I'm willing to suffer." Erin smiled.

She turned to the rest of the team. "Tell James not to worry about me, and Ellie?"

"Yeah?" Ellie asked.

"Do me a favor and make sure mister detective over here goes down hard, alright?"

"He could have gone down tonight." Mirai rolled her eyes.

"And that's a wrap on both Erin and on the episode!" Chris announced as Erin headed down to the Tomb of Shame. "We're down to our final 10! How will Erin's departure change the game? Can Aaron adapt now that he's spent his immunity medal? And has the final five alliance been dealt a fatal blow? Find out the answers… next time!

On Total!

Drama!

Niiiiialasach!"


*Erin's Final Confessional

"Well, this blows. At least I know I was considered enough of a threat to be idoled out instead of just plain old blindsided, but damn… I did not see that coming. I'll give him credit where it's due, Aaron really is good at figuring out where everyone's mind is at, because that play had the potential to backfire horribly if he was wrong. Rooting for the two Fudo guys to get to the final two, but if Ellie can be part of their final 3, I think that's a good ending. Of course, I'm aware now that these seasons aren't actually scripted, so that ending might not happen, but eh, a girl can dream. Hopefully they'll see fit to donate some of their winnings to my scientific work."

End Confessional*


The Votes for those who are curious:

Aaron voted for… Erin

Ellie voted for… Mirai (doesn't count)

Erin voted for… Mirai (doesn't count)

Mirai voted for… Aaron

Monica voted for… Erin

Phooko voted for… Mirai (doesn't count)


AN: Time to talk about Erin. She made it much, much farther than I expected she would when I accepted her, and I am so happy she did because she was one of my favorites. In a season with people like Gran, Mirai, Zaiyrin, Donny, Rashi… it was really nice to have a more subdued straight man character who didn't lean as heavily into the zany side of things. Her semi-romance with Watts was a nice little subplot, but I think the main attraction of her storyline was evolving from a loner who just tended to her experiments to an actual strategic mind in her later game to where she's literally the centerpiece of the planned majority alliance. I really enjoyed writing her ascent from skeptic to strategic player.

For those wondering, Erin's alignment was Chaotic Neutral

Erin will be back for the finale, can her brain concoct a winning strategy for her chosen finalist?

Having studied her actions throughout the season, Erin receives the status of: Neutral

I mean, I think we all saw this coming. She never really did anything villainous, nor did she really do anything outwardly heroic. She was a fun character to write and an important part of a lot of interacting storylines (some of which will become apparent in the future), but I'd say she's still an overall neutral character.

Erin's best moment, for me, and maybe only me, was her EPIC comeback during Twilight's challenge. She was the last one left on her team first and she outlasted literally everyone else to come from behind and give that iteration of Hayaji the win.

But that's all just my opinion, what do you guys think?

Artemis's challenge is up next (I bet you guys can't wait to see her again)! What do you guys think it will be?


AN2: Discord link is on my profile! Check it out! We're a fun bunch (of nerds)!


EN: Fun times. Honestly, I view Erin as more of a hero type character. She definitely didn't start off that way, you know, Erin being her prickly self, but I think her final few words in this competition did it for me. She didn't do anything outwardly heroic (besides siding with the heroes), but there are a lot of Neutral characters in Nialasach, so I'm willing to open up the Hero status to some positive Neutrals. Hope you all understand.


AN3: And as always, thanks for reading!