Chris's Recap

"Last time, on Total Drama Nialasach…

"It was one surprise after another as Alison had all but completely lost her grip over Gabriel, Gran and Cherry were working together somehow, Watts had taken a backseat to Gabriel's strategies, Ellie had started calling shots and making waves, Erin was social glue that held alliance together, and one of Aaron's plans actually worked! After Peter from Zero Sum hosted a paintball challenge, Team Hayaji emerged victorious, and over on Ebisu, Mirai thought that the obvious target was Aaron. However, due to her highly emotional nature, her alliance members in Ellie and Erin, and her second alliance partner in Phooko all thought that it would be a better idea to cast their votes for her and get her 'unpredictability' out of the way. Unfortunately for them, Mirai's sole vote for the original intended target meant that when Aaron played his immunity medal to save Mirai and earn some of her trust back in the process. His and Monica's votes were able to snipe Erin, the scientist, out of the competition! Now an outnumbered Ellie only has her own immunity medal to rely on, while Monica has a fair shot to take control of her team yet again. And as the Final 10 cast their eyes towards a merge on the horizon, a tropical storm known only as Artemis is making its way towards Crios Cath! Which of these unfortunate contestants will have the dishonor of being eliminated as a result of this Ice Queen? 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: Glas Woods (Loser Campsite)

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

"Hey there." Aaron sat a comfortable distance away from Mirai as the latter tended to what Team Ebisu could ignite of their fire. "I just want to apologize for everything that's happened. If last night wasn't enough, I'm more than willing to do your camp chores as a sign of sincerity."

"Well, thank you for the offer, and the medal play." Mirai turned to look Aaron in the eyes. "But to be perfectly honest, Aaron, I'm not sure I can forgive you. I'm not sure I should even trust you."

"Well, I suppose all I can do is respect the decision." Aaron shrugged and walked off with a smile. "But if you change your mind and, at the very least, want to try working together again, I'm willing to hear it."


Confessional: Aaron: Team Ebisu

"Except that things are not fine! I just used up my one bulletproof vest in this game on you, and you better be damn sure that I want your trust because of it! I'm so weak and vulnerable strategically if we lose again, and you aren't going to repay my kind deed? What is with this girl? How can someone so emotionally unstable still manage to stick so steadfastly to a singular goal?"

End Confessional


"Yo, Phooko, need any help?" Aaron walked through the forest as Phooko picked berries.

"Yes, actually." Phooko nodded. "I could use a pair of extra hands, please and thank you."

"No prob, no prob." Aaron got to work picking berries alongside Phooko.

They picked berries in silence.

For one minute.

Then two.

Then five.

Eventually a quarter hour had passed, and, unable to take it any longer, Aaron spoke up again.

"Listen… I'm not sure how you feel about me right now…"

"You don't want to be sure." Phooko smiled at Aaron while simultaneously staring daggers at him. "But as you were saying?"

"Right…" Aaron backed up a step. "It's come to my attention that Ebisu, Inari, and Fudo are all at 3 players each with only Monica as a lone Hayaji. I realize that as the merge is almost upon us and as the teams have shuffled constantly, what remains of any team banner is likely horribly tattered, but it would be a shame if we didn't at least try to capitalize on the situation. There isn't a single Ebisu on this last Hayaji team, which means a win is ideal in the upcoming challenge, but crucially, we have a single Inari player without any sort of ally to save her. A very easy vote, and one that will secure both of our positions going forward considering the two Inari's that would be left behind."

"I'll… think about it." Phooko nodded.

"You should." Aaron warned. "Because we should not let another team get the majority, lest they pick us off."


Shift Camera Focus

Ellie, Mirai, and Monica all sat around the campfire, but there were no songs. There was no talking. Erin's departure created massive ripples, and no one on the fish team was ready to swim in such turbulent waters.


Confessional: Ellie: Team Ebisu

"What the higgidy heck have I been doing? I did not see that Fish medal coming at all. Things were going my way for a while, and I let it get the better of me. Jeez, I've been so dumb. Not only is Erin gone but so is the trust Mirai had in me. She seems to be trusting Aaron the most right now, but she clearly doesn't even trust him all that much, which makes her a free-agent and even more dangerous than she was last week! Phooko is ostensibly my closest ally on this team now, but he barely trusts me, and I barely trust him. We did head up opposite alliances when we were on Team Inari together, so it should be no wonder. Then there's Monica… and she… she's been uniquely quiet for someone so determined to be the leader of the team, and the reason she's been so quiet is because she knows that she's basically untouchable while this whole conflict is going on, and she's just sitting back and enjoying us target each other so that we can be the one she idols out of the game later or something. Just… this whole thing is so frustrating, and it's because I thought too far ahead!"

End Confessional


Confessional: Mirai: Team Ebisu

"Ugh, I have no idea who I can possibly trust right now! Pretty much everyone I've trusted at all has betrayed me at one point or another. I guess I kind of trust Watts still, we hopefully still have the 'I will never vote for you' agreement going on, but I can't just up and leave camp to trek across the island to talk to him, and that means if I want my vote to matter, I'm going to have to either work with Aaron again, or work with Ellie again, and neither one is an enticing option for me. Aaron cheated on me, so I know I can't trust him, even if his version of events is true, and he was coerced or tricked into it, I can't trust him to not be tricked or coerced again, and Ellie very clearly just tried to have me eliminated. I'd have to be mad to trust anything she says to me at this point. Monica and Phooko are both sort of options, but if one defaults to Aaron and the other defaults to Ellie, it doesn't really matter, and they'd never work with each other, so I can't form a majority with the two of them… It really feels less and less like there's any one right way out of this mess. I think I just have to pick my poison and swallow it."

End Confessional


As Ellie went off to the bathroom, Monica turned to Mirai.

"So, Mirai…" Monica smiled. "Where's your mind at in this mess?"

"All over the fucking place…" Mirai groaned. "Why?"

"I'm not sure if I'm being honest." Monica shrugged. "But with the fight going on over you between Aaron and Ellie and Phooko, I think I'm in a unique position from a somewhat outside perspective."

"How so?" Mirai quirked a brow.

"Please." Monica rolled her eyes. "You're talking to someone with an eye for strategy of this nature, so I could offer some… advice, on who to vote for next… or rather… who to avoid voting for next."

"Let me guess, you?" Mirai laughed.

"Well, ideally yes." Monica also laughed. "But seriously, I would recommend not casting a vote for Aaron should we lose."

"Why not?" Mirai wondered. "He's just played the only trump card he had on me, so he's perfectly vulnerable-"

"And that's the reason." Monica interrupted. "He's perfectly vulnerable. He has no bite, only bark left. He is a shark that is going to sink. It's inevitable; I'm afraid. There is no reason to bother with him. Not while Ellie and Phooko, who both still have connections, are in play. They are far bigger threats than Aaron."

"Well… I'm still not sure I want both Aaron and Alison managing to merge together."

"And I don't want Gabriel or Phooko to make the merge, but hey, look at that, one of them is going to no matter what. Maybe not together, but there are some things that are impossible, Mirai. I'm here to offer you a way to make some lemonade out of your lemons. Take it, or leave it at your own peril."


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"Oh, this whole thing is too good! Aaron wasted his medal protecting someone who still doesn't really trust him, which means he's virtually useless and can be eliminated the second I don't need his vote, and the second I don't need his vote is when I can be certain that we'll be merging. I'd rather not go into the individual game giving off the impression that I'm in any way a part of a group. That way the groups that do exist can fight over my vote, and I can hold off on playing the medal."
End Confessional


As Ellie started heading back to camp, Phooko headed back with his arms full of berries.

"Oh, Ellie!" Phooko turned his head. "Mind if we walk and talk?"

Ellie did not mind. She had been thinking the same thing.

"So…" Phooko opened up. "As it stands right now… we're both kinda fucked."

"Yeah…" Ellie rubbed her neck. "We kinda are if we don't do anything."

"So we should probably team up and make sure both our votes go to the same person to give us a bit of a fighting chance." Phooko determined.

"Absolutely." Ellie agreed.


Confessional: Phooko: Team Ebisu

"I still don't know who to trust, and as much as I don't like the idea, I think sticking with Ellie is my best bet right now. I have no idea where Mirai's head is at, and I can't trust either Aaron or Monica. Anyone who trusts either of them at this point is deluding themselves."

End Confessional


"Well… given our options…" Ellie pondered. "As annoying as Monica's medal might be, it's too risky to try and blindside her out of it. That means we need to vote off either Mirai or Aaron."

"Hrm…" Phooko thought to himself. "Tough call."
"I don't know if I should bring this up…" Ellie mentioned. "But earlier this morning, when everyone was waking up, Monica and I had a bit of a chat, and she said something that sort of caught my attention."

"What was it?" Phooko wondered.

"She said that it would be better to ignore Aaron for now."

Phooko stopped walking and turned to face Ellie directly. "Then Aaron is precisely who I say we vote for. He came up to me gunning for an Ebisu voting block, and if Monica wants him around, it's clear his target is probably you, but I refuse to let him and Monica have two victories in a row. Ideally, we win the challenge of course, but if not… I say we slay the shark while we have him on the cutting board."

"I'm glad to see we seem to be on the same page about this." Ellie nodded. "Hopefully, it works out in our favor."


Location: Lower Ceol Fields (Luxury Campsite)

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

"Why can't this just work out in my favour?" Alison groaned as she paced in a circle somewhat away from the campsite where the rest of her team was enjoying their victory and the luxuries that came with it.


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"I've done all I can with that magician imbecile Gran, and I don't intend to waste any more effort on someone as hopelessly unreliable as him, and Gabriel certainly seems less inclined to be seduced or manipulated than he was before this bloody team shuffle reunited him with James. That leaves…"

End Confessional


"Cherry!" Alison exclaimed as she came across the circus girl.

"What?" Cherry asked. "Make this quick! I only came out here to see what you were up to. Mr. Politician Man wants everyone present to strategize for whatever challenge might be next."

"No amount of strategy will help for this next challenge; I'm afraid." Alison shook her head dismissively. "But while I have you here, since you value blunt honesty, I'll share some thoughts with you. Ditch your allies and work with me. It's to your benefit."

"In what world?" Cherry rolled her eyes.

"The real one." Alison quipped. "You're attached to some cosplaying loser and an exploding magician, neither of which actually trust you. But I could bring you to the final two."

"I appreciate the honesty and will respond in kind. You could have been able to bring me to the final two," Cherry admitted, "before you got too caught up in gold-digging to properly vet your own fake boyfriends. Now you're circling the drain, and there is only one way out of it for you."


Confessional: Cherry: Team Hayaji

"Unless something stupid happened, Ellie should still be on the other team and should still have the Fox Medal. That plus me and Gran equals one powerful alliance once the merge hits at 9 people left. I don't need Alison and her sprayed to hell and back hair fucking any of that up. So if she wants to remain in the game, she should know the only avenue available to her is to simply stay immune."

End Confessional


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"I can't in good conscience just put my faith in this team to win the next challenge, it's this team we're talking about. No, I need a contingency, so even if we don't win, I won't be eliminated, but I've exhausted every option, every strategy-… ooooh," Alison hits upon an idea and smiles. "Every strategy… except one. Perhaps the time has come to use the ace I've taken such pains to keep tucked up my sleeve."

End Confessional


Shift Camera Focus

In the luxury hot tub, Gabriel and Gran were talking to each other as they waited for the team to reconvene.

"While it's just the two of us, Gran." Gabriel nodded formally. "I would like to inform you that you have nothing to worry about if we lose this challenge, and you'll have even less to worry about if you vote for Alison with myself and Watts. I'm not sure who else has told you what, but I want you to hear from the horse's mouth who my target is."

"Ah, that's cool. Cool beans… It's just… Uh, someone has already asked that I vote you off."

Gabriel nodded as he closed his eyes. "Then all I can do is ask you politely." He opened his eyes. "Gran Rey, please do not vote me off if we lose this challenge. I have already given you my word that you will remain safe as well."


Confessional: Gran: Team Hayaji

"I mean… he did ask politely, and it doesn't seem like he's doing this to be alphabetical."

End Confessional


"Sure thing." Gran shook Gabriel's hand.


Confessional: Gabriel: Team Hayaji

"Did… did that just work? I mean, I'm happy it did, but like… wow, I was expecting some resistance. It's kind of flattering to just be trusted like that."

End Confessional


"In that case…" Gabriel stood up and grabbed a towel. "I'll be off to change back into my clothes for our potential strategy meeting. Although, I fear it won't happen since we're missing more than half our team."

"Nah, just under half." Cherry announced as she entered the area. "The rich bitch is about somewhere. Haven't seen the nerd."

Gabriel gave a small 'hrm' to himself as he left the area, leaving Cherry to talk with Gran.

"What?" Gran asked as he noticed Cherry's smirk.

"Nothing, I'm genuinely impressed."

"Oh?" Gran rose a brow somewhat confused. "Well thank-"

"I mean, like, wow, you're so non-threatening that you got Gabriel to literally just spill his plans to you."

"Yeah." Gran relaxed back in the hot tub with a smirk of his own. "Maybe one day your face can look non-threatening too."

"You lanky-"

"Watch it, willow lady!"

"Like I have to watch both our backs in this freaking-?" Cherry stopped herself mid shout. "Non. This isn't the time. We have a decision to make."

"About who to vote off." Gran nodded. "Since you heard Gabriel and I talking, then you also know I promised not to vote for him."

"You can break it." Cherry shrugged. "But even if you don't want to, it still leaves us with two options. One seems to be the target of two of our teammates, and the other hasn't been mentioned in terms of elimination, but if we lose, he and his target could face each other in a tiebreaker. I'm sure he'd like that. A duel between 'good' and 'evil'."

"I think we should base the decision on how Tine Naofa went down for Ebisu." Gran admitted. "If it was any of the OG Ebisu going home, then we can force that tiebreaker, but if it was anyone else, I say we team up with Gabriel. Assuming we lose of course because let's face it, we'd all rather just win."


Confessional: Gran

"Or at least, I hope we'd all rather just win."
End Confessional


Shift Camera Focus

"There you are!" Watts shouted down Alison as he located her still pacing around.

"And here you are." Alison rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to your stupid bloody meeting."

"No. You aren't." Watts agreed. "I used the night to do something I should have done right away. Cherry mentioned to me that there was more than one kind of handwriting on that wall, and since I saw it, I didn't touch it. I only memorized it. So, I think you know who wrote the added plays, and you're going to tell me who."

"Ugh." Alison groaned. "This isn't even fun anymore since it's taken you this bloody long. Who the bloody hell do you think wrote it? Who is the only person besides yourself to constantly lock themselves inside that bloody cabin?"

Watts' face sank.

"You mean… you? You wrote those strategies? But they required so much-"

"Effort? Teamwork? People?" Alison questioned as her frown started to shift into a smile. "Or maybe… Planning?"

"You don't mean-" Watts gasped.

"Oh, but I do, James." Alison smiled. "I do. Everything you've done since you found that cabin, every single action you've taken to further your grand 'shoulders of giants' strategy you thought you had going for you, all of it… Was something I put there for you to follow. And you've been a good little doggy up until recently haven't you? That cabin being cleaned was never supposed to have happened, and it forced you to go off of memory, but memory is unreliable, and along the way, you've strayed from those strategies in order to secure the feelings of those around you. You were supposed to leave that part to me. As such, I really see no real reason to keep that fact hidden from you anymore… Watts. For just this one occasion, I'll use the nickname you're so fond of. After all, it's no longer the name of the hero you wanted to be. It's the name of the unwitting henchman that you were."

Alison gave a curtsey, leaving Watts in a stunned silence. "Later, loser." She giggled as she waltzed away.


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"And now… now we wait. Wait for that seed we've planted to bear fruit to harvest."

End Confessional


Confessional: Watts: Team Hayaji
"N… no… NOOOO! This can't be happening! Please someone tell me this isn't happening! Here I was, all this time thinking I was being so smart, forming a coalition against that she-devil… but it's all been just one great big giant distraction! She's effectively used me to manipulate everyone into fearing her and what she'll do, while simultaneously removing me from playing any other sort of game. She used my own love of this series against me, and I fucking fell for it, like an idiot! That's not even the worst part about all of this though. The part that… that really gets to me… is that it proves Gabriel's theory right. The only kind of purpose a coalition that large could serve is getting rid of a single contestant, or flushing an immunity if they have one, and that's what happened back on the Final 8 of Zero Sum, led by one of my favorite players from that season. All I wanted to do was vanquish someone I had pegged as a villain in the same way. I wanted, so badly, to stand eye-to-eye with those I looked up to… and Alison has made sure that even if I someday do share a season with any of them, I will never be their equal. To have acted in such a terrible person's best interests for so long all because I wanted to stop them… What… what on earth is going to happen to my game now?"
End Confessional


Location: Upper Ceol Fields

Contestant(s): All Remaining

"Move it!" A high-pitched voice shrieked as both teams made their way to where Artemis Argento stood next to Chris and Chef in the Upper Ceol Fields. "This wheat is fucking gross! Let's get this over with."

"Welcome… Final 10…" Chris stared daggers at Artemis for bringing the players in before he could do it as the host. "Today's challenge has been created, and will be hosted by… Artemis here!"

"That's right. Which means you can leave, Chris." Artemis tried to nudge Chris away. "Chef can stay because he's funnier than you."

"Hey!" Chris pointed angrily as Chef snickered to himself.


Confessional: Chef

"Can't fault the girl for the truth. Heh heh heh."

End Confessional


"The challenge, Artemis. You're here to explain it and then host it." Chris warned.

"Ugh, fine." Artemis groaned. She turned towards the final 10.

"The ten of you….have to do WHATEVER I tell you to do. If you don't do it, or are the last person to do it, or at least, do it the way I want you too, you're out. The last team to have people still standing is clearly the better team. Any questions?"

Chris raised his hand.

"No?" Artemis ignored him.

Chris shoved his hand in Artemis's face. "I have a question for the temporary hostess!" He raised his voice. "What the heck do you think you're doing? That's not a challenge! That's borderline impossible! Did you even come up with a legitimate challenge?"

"As it happens, I did come up with a different challenge." Aretmis folded her arms. "We were going to skate up in the mountains, it would have been ice dancing mixed with hockey and it was going to be the best challenge of this whole season, but because you brought me out to the fucking wheat fields of all places, you don't get that challenge, because I'm not walking across this whole damn island! So there! Besides, this is elimination based, so it'll be quite quick if you think it's so impossible, baby."

"I am not!" Chris whined.

Chef gave him a glare.

"I'll say what I said a year ago, Chef!" Chris turned to his co-host. "She keeps starting it!"

"Wait, wait, wait…" Watts shook his head. "Ignoring those guys…" He pointed at the new Ebisu team. "What in the world happened at your elimination ceremony?!"

"That's not something we have to discuss with you." Monica shrugged. "Needless to say though, it surprised a few people on this team as well."

"Well, I don't care about last week." Artemis snapped her fingers. "Onto the challenge! Round 1: Say the nastiest thing you can think of to Chris."

"Wait, WHAT?!" Chris objected before the camera cut out.


Challenge: Artemis says.

Rules: You do WHATEVER Artemis tells you to do. If you DON'T do it or are LAST to do it, you're out for your team. Last team to have people still standing wins immunity and luxury camp. Losing team has to eliminate someone.


Round 1: Say the nastiest thing you can think of to Chris.

"Oh, this isn't a joke..." Phooko realized as Artemis lined everyone up to insult Chris.

"I can't believe Corporate is approving this nonsense…" Chris grumbled to himself.

"I can!" Watts came out of the gate swinging. "Anyone who has an idea as stupid as Pahkitew island needs a firm wake-up call!"

"Shut up!" Chris shouted.

"Why should he?" Gabriel joined in. "Artemis is clearly the more deserving host than you anyways."

"Now that one was a low blow, politician kid!" Chris pointed.

"Not as low as your bank account." Aaron sneered. "Just how many debts are you trying to pay off at once with these next-to-no item seasons?"

"I'm not broke!" Chris stomped.

Artemis was clearly enjoying herself as she cheered on each person to step up and insult Chris.

"Well, no, you clearly aren't." Mirai shook her head. "In fact, you're still in mint condition considering those balls of yours haven't dropped yet!"

"Yes… they have…" Chris was starting to get impatient.

"Why are you getting so worked up Chris?" Phooko snickered. "That's only something a total nerd would do."

"No, no, I'm cool! I'm handsome! I'm-"

"Not even pulling off your own outfit correctly." Ellie shook her head. "Anyone could wear that better than you."

"What's that even supposed to mean?" Chris shouted.

"It means…" Monica smiled "That you're going to crack all your mirrors from how hideous you look."

"That's just untrue!" Chris took out a mirror. "See? No cracks?"

"Too bad your crack is showing through those shorts that no longer fit you, fatty." Cherry sneered.

"Oooh, a two for one, I like that." Artemis pointed to Cherry.

"Not as much as Chris likes one-on-one action with his teddy bear!" Alison pointed.

"HOW?!" Chris reeled back in shock.

"Doesn't matter how-" Gran began.

"Nope." Artemis stopped him. "You don't go."
"What? Why not?"

"Because you were the last one to do the thing." Artemis snapped and pointed. "So you're out, loser."

She turned toward the remaining nine players. "Alright, that was a good show, I guess, but it's got me hungry. Make me lunch and bring it to me. Whoever brings me the worst lunch is out."


Round 2: Make Artemis Lunch

"Alright, you've all returned with lunches I presume?" Artemis asked as the remaining nine contestants in her challenge brought small baskets up to her.

"Let's see…" She perused the items.

"The best lunch… is this one. The shish ka-bob set."

"Being a resident of the luxury camp has its advantages." Alison curtseyed.

"The next best lunch is…" Artemis looked around.

"Wouldn't it be better to just say what the worst lunch is?" Cherry asked.

"You know what?" Artemis asked as her eyes widened. "It's yours. Your tomato or whatever that is supposed to be. It's the shittiest."

"It's a beet." Cherry informed her. "The biggest one I could find. And you're really including that small ass green bean that Ellie brought?"
"Well, it doesn't look gross as shit." Artemis reasoned. "Anyways… yeah, this won't do guys. I'm not going eat this nice picnic lunch out in the middle of this field of fucking wheat. Find me a new lunch area." She handed each player a small flag. "Set this down where you think a good spot is. The last person to do it is disqualified."


Round 3: Find a Picnic Spot

The eight remaining contestants raced throughout the island in various different areas to find a spot for Artemis to sit down.


Confessional: Phooko: Team Ebisu

"Not sure why Chris was so certain this was impossible, and to be honest, I'm kind of having fun. It's like a bunch of small mini-challenges. I don't know. Maybe Artemis should consider hosting a reality show of her own. Now, I just need to find the perfect spot for her!"

End Confessional


The very first person to find a spot for Artemis was Aaron. He stuck his flag in the ground on the border of the highlands and the mountain range.

Watts and Gabriel both stuck their flags on either side of the frozen lake in the Cloch Mountain Range since Artemis mentioned that was where she wanted her challenge to be.

Alison brought her flag down on a solitary hill in the Lower Ceol Fields, which gave a nice view of the biome. Artemis could feel like a queen, even sitting down eating lunch, looking over the vast land.

Ellie had placed her flag near the Tine Naofa Bonfire, considering that perhaps having some actual seats to sit in would be a plus for Artemis.

Monica had placed her flag down in a forest clearing with a gargantuan oak tree, thinking it was a lovely locale for a small lunch.

Phooko had finally managed to locate the luxury camp,

Only to see that Mirai had beaten him to it and stuck her flag down there.

"Sorry kid." Artemis shook her head as she appeared at the luxury camp. "But it looks like you're the last one without a flag down. You're out."

"Rats." Phooko snapped.

"Look on the bright side." Artemis grinned as she set a picnic down in the luxury camp and the remaining players joined everyone at the scene. "You don't have to join them in their next task."

"Our next task is?" Aaron motioned for Artemis to continue.

"It's boring just eating this lunch and nothing else." Artemis shook her head and waved toward an empty area in the campsite. "Sing to me. The song I like the least is out."


Round 4: Sing to Artemis

Alison's song: Half-Parody of Shiny by Jemaine Clement

"Alison Palmer hasn't always been this glam,

I was a drab little brat once.

But I made my way out of that sorry sham.

'Cuz I'm beautiful, baby.

Did your heroes say listen to your heart?

Be who you are in the inside?
I need three words to tear their arguments apart…

Your heroes lied!

I'd rather be shiny~, like the treasure of a sunken pirate wreck,

Scrub the deck,

And make it look shiny!

The sun sparkles on this wealthy woman's neck,

Just a sec,

don't you know?"

She points to the other contestants.

"They are dumb dumb dumb, they'll chase any Zero Sum game.

That's so lame.

And here they come, come, come, thinking that they'll win this game.

With no fame.

I'll win this contest…

Since I am the best…"

She turned her eyes towards Watts.

"And Well, well, well… little James is having trouble with his game.

You little nerdy hero wannabe.

But you've had a terrible performance, oh, for shame!

You just aren't at your a-game, man.

But I have to give you credit for my start.

Helped with that Jenae blindside,

But unlike you I've still been playing smart.

I'll never hide.

I can't! I'm too shiny!

I sparkle like a diamond in the rough, strut my stuff.

My stuff is so shiny!

Try all your methods it'll never be enough, your game's too rough,

James, my man.

You can try try try, but you can't expect some nerdy dude

To beat my attitude.

Now you'll cry cry cry as I break apart, your aching heart.

Far from the ones who abandoned you

Missing a father, watched Total Drama

Chasing the path of your heroes

So you'd be among them.

You've tried to set traps,

But those plans were all a load of crap!

Now Watts, try to put a stop to these plots!

You're left in the dust behind me,

Because you're not nice and Shiny~!"

As Alison ended her performance, and Artemis clapped because of course she did. Watts shrunk in posture. Gabriel turned to his friend.

"Are you okay dude?" Gabriel asked, warily.

Watts didn't respond. He was just standing there, looking at the ground, trembling as he clutched his father's dogtag.

"That was the most uncool thing I've seen in my life." Gabriel glared at Alison.

"Well, then perhaps you don't know that your little dog has been acting as my hound this whole time." Alison shrugged.

"What?" Gabriel was taken aback by the apparent honesty of the statement.

Watts clutched his dog tags harder.

"You!" Artemis pointed to Gabriel. "If you're going to waste time talking, you might as well be the next to sing."

"Very well…" Gabriel snatched the mic out of Alison's hand. "I suppose I will!"

Gabriel's song: Rising Hope by LiSA (English fan translation)

"The message in my hand is rising hope!

Hey, welcome to a special rising, can you stay on standby? Here we go!"
Gabriel looked directly at a clearly troubled Watts as he said his second line, before moving into the meat of his song.

"I'm in too deep, to keep my sanity

As the world around comes to an end.

I try my best to calm down my heart but with this aching blow,

I fall short.

Now I hold it back, the desperation,

That's swelling deep inside my soul.

Cuz if this path's another dead end, then I swear to god that I'll go berserk!"

Gabriel wracked his head as he sang the next part to give off an internal dialogue.

"Pay attention!

What is it?

Watch your step now?

Does common sense mean anything?
Are you serious?

No no no, don't worry! 1, 2, 3, Listen close to the rhythm of my heart!" He started singing normally again.

"I blink away, the haziness that's in my way

You've gotta keep your faith in me,

I swear I'll never let you down, do you trust me?

Some may say that I'm blind,

But I can hear that shot in the dark!

No matter how, I now find glory or defeat

Against a foe that I can't beat,

I will still wake up to a brand new day.

I believe in Rising Hope!

There's not a spell, or swell of magic within in me, but still

I won't surrender!

I'll see our wish come true 'cuz I can't forsake the oath I made to you! I sing my heart!

If tears scream to break free, I'll crush that cry with the resolve now swelling in me,

The message in my hand is Rising Hope!

I will go ahead!

Can I get a non stop ticket? I got to get my heart away!

Where is the solution?

Swallow all the doubt inside and get up!

C'mon, Now, hurry up! C'mon!

So if you mind that you've find that you've thrown away your time in the end,

Throw it out, never doubt or make excuses.

Regret is dirt so brush it off and hold your head a little higher.

Am I okay? I'm okay so let's both go for dead, let your heart's soaring algorithm fly up ahead.

My voice is hoarse as I scream 'I'd rather die than back down now'

I can't express this feeling inside,

It's like a fire raging, slowly rising, building up inside until I blow!

Please hear me out, I need to get this off my chest, and tell you you're the reason why,

I'm gonna live believing in all you've shown me.

Some may say they're a lie,

But no I'll never need proof, I don't even care if they're real!

I've never known that kind of love,

Cause no one's shown me how to open up my heart, without the fear it'd break and fall apart.

The more I ask, the more I fear the truth will hold me back, and I'll regret it.

But thanks to you that feeling's gone and now I have the strength to soldier on!

No matter how I now find glory or defeat, against a foe that I can't beat,

I will still wake up to a brand new day!

I believe in Rising Hope!

There's not a spell, or swell, of magic within me, but still, I won't surrender,

I'll make our wish come true, 'cause I'll never forsake what I have with you. I sing my heart!

The future's not far off, Just walk with me a little further and you will see,

This message in my hand is Rising Hope!

Forever I will hold this Rising Hope!

Rising Hope!

I believe in our rising hope!

This was a little special rising, can you continue? Alright, lead the way!"

As the song ended, Gabriel came down, to where Watts had a face red from tears, but seemed to be recovering. "You did that for me, eh?" He asked.

"Half and half." Gabriel smiled. "Half to get you cheered up, and half to make sure whatever it was Alison wanted you to do in that state didn't happen."


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"And just like that, the golden boy has brought his friend back from the despair I had to waste my trump card to cause! Now how am I supposed to convince him to waste his vote on Gran?"

End Confessional


"Well then… I'd like to sing next, if that's alright Artemis?" Watts asked.

"Oh, go ahead." Artemis yawned. "But do it quickly before I get bored and just eliminate you."

Watt's song: Half-Parody of Battle! Hop (Final) with LYRICS by Juno Songs

"Once, upon a time,

There lived a boy with a dream in his soul.

He turned his eyes toward the sky

Where all his heroes lie

He swore to himself he'd look the greats eye-to-eye

Then, there came a time when his heart felt an empty hole.

He fell short of his goal.

But his dear friend has cleared his sight,

Convinced him not to give up the fight,

Now here we stay, now here we stand in the light!

Think of future fans cheering my name,

I feel the joy of this sport once again,

And even if I don't win this game,

I'll fight anyway,

And it's not mano-a-mano

Since i'm not alone, no

I'll shoot for my dream also,

And we'll win the day!

My faith in my friend helped me break through this cloud of doubt,

With luck they'll stand by me as we fight the final bout.

My biggest mistake was getting stuck in the past,

But I'll pick up the pieces, won't give up till the die is cast.

And, while it sure is bound to be a trial.

We can force our way to the Finals!

The doubts that held me captive caused me to turn my back to the game.

Thought that last years' strats would win,

I lacked discipline.

I'll make sure that this doesn't happen again.

You've reminded me what matters in the end.

The bond we have as friends.

This road has made us stronger.

I won't hold back any longer.

Now hear my cry!

Once more I look to the sky!

If I want the audience to cheer for me,

I must pen my own story.

So my name can go down in glory, after the fray.

And throughout this whole song,

I feel my will to go on!

I'll fight till my strength is gone,

And that day won't be today!

And just like a sword, I shall make an oath in these notes.

Play this game with passion, 'till Chris reads that final vote!

I think back to all that we've been through to get us here,

For fathers, each other, ourselves, we will persevere.

And, while it sure is bound to be a trial.

We can force our way to the Finals!"

As Watts finished his own song, Aaron volunteered to go next.

"But I want to go next!" Mirai goraned.

"Nah." Artemis shrugged. "We've got an order now. Hayaji went alphabetically, so will Ebisu. Aaron, Ellie, you, Monica."

"Fine." Mirai huffed with crossed arms.

"The best for last, I see." Monica smiled.

"No!" Aaron grinned as he took the stage. "The best for now!"

Aaron's song: Land of the Dead by Voltaire

"A minotaur's my butler, a cyclops my valet,

A centaur drives my chariot that takes me down the way

Through a river made of fire, to a street that's paved in bones,

I've got a dozen zombie skeletons to take me to my throne.

In the land of the dead, heck boy, ain't it grand?

I'm the overlord of the underworld, 'cause I hold horror's hand.

In the land of the dead, I'm dark side royalty,

I'm far renowned in the underground, and you can't take that from me.

Cerberus, my lapdog, as loyal as can be.

My bed is made of skulls! I'm in the lap of luxury!

I've got a dragon's blood jacuzzi. The gorgons think it's cool.

Got a seven-headed hydra living in my swimming pool!

In the land of the dead, heck boy, ain't it grand!

I'm the overlord of the underworld 'cause I hold horror's hand.

In the land of the dead, I'm dark side royalty!

I'm far renowned in the underground, and you can't take that

Away from me.

No you can't take that from me."

"K', I'mma be honest." Artemis sighed. "A good performance, but it's somewhat tainted by you of all people choosing to sing a Voltaire song."

"Excuse me?" Aaron asked.

"Like, it can't be a coincidence can it? That my bestie from Total Drama Zero Sum also sang a Voltaire song?"

"Did you just refer to osWaLD PAmEsI as your 'bestie?'"

"What, you want proof?"

She took out her cell phone and tossed it to Aaron. "The home screen is literally a picture of a trip Isaac and I took to the Grand Canyon with him and his brother."
"Yeah… that's… wow." Aaron put a hand to his head as he gave Artemis her phone back. "Not sure how to respond to that."

"Respond by shutting up and letting the others do their performances, and don't hold your breath about who the next one out will be, you copycat. Ellie, sing us a song to get out of this."

"Oh, uh, right." Ellie nodded.

Ellie's song: Take to the Sky by Owl City

After 'da'ing with the melody for some time, Ellie began her song proper.

"Shipwreck in a sea of faces, there's a dreamy world out there.

Dear friends in higher places, carry me away from here.

Travel light, let the sun eclipse you,

Cause your flight is about to leave.

And there's more to this great adventure, then you'd ever believe.

Bird's eye view. Awake the stars cause they're all around you.

Wide eyes will always brighten the blue.

Chase your dreams, and remember me, sweet bravery, cause.

After all those wings will take you up so high,

So bid the forest floor goodbye as you race the wind and take to the sky.

You take to the sky."

After some more 'da'ing to the tune, Ellie began her second verse.

"On the heels of war and wonder, there's a stormy world up there.

You can't whisper above the thunder, but you can fly anywhere.

Purple burst of paper birds this,

Picture paints a thousand words,

So take a breath of myth and mystery, and don't look back.

Bird's eye view. Awake the stars cause they're all around you.

Wide eyes will always brighten the blue.

Chase your dreams, and remember me, sweet bravery, cause,

After all those wings will take you up so high.

So bid the forest floor goodbye as you race the wind and take to the sky.

You take to the sky.

There's a realm above the trees.

Where the lost are finally found.

So touch your feathers to the breeze,

And leave the ground.

Bird's eye view. Awake the stars cause they're all around you.

Wide eyes will always brighten the blue,

Chase your dreams, and remember me, sweet bravery, cause,

After all those wings will take you up so high,

So bid the forest floor goodbye as you race the wind and take to the sky.

You take to the sky.

You take to the sky."

"Finally someone sings something peaceful jeez." Artemis gave small claps. "All these other songs have been so intense. Mirai, Monica, you've got peaceful songs?"

"No." Mirai responded.

"The opposite." Monica nodded.

"Good." Artemis clicked her tongue. "Peaceful songs are better as breaks anyways."

"And my next song is dedicated to that girl over there." Mirai smiled at Alison.

Mirai's song: Half-Parody Fuck You by Lily Allen

"Look inside,

Look inside your tiny mind, then look a bit harder,

Because I'm so uninspired,

So sick and tired,

Of all the hatred you harbor.

So you say, that it's your game that he's played,

Well I think that's deceitful.

Your just alone now

And surely next vote-out,

So you've done something evil…

Fuck you! Fuck you!

Fuck you very very much!

Cause we all dislike you

And your sprayed to death 'do,

So please don't stay in touch.

Fuck you! Fuck you!

Fuck you very very much!

'Cause your words don't translate,

It's too late in this game,

So please don't stay in touch.

Do you,

Do you get a little kick out of causing us anguish?

It's fame and fortune you're after,

And that's a disaster,

Since it won't bring you happiness.

Do you,

Do you really enjoy living a life that's so hateful?

There's a hole where your soul should be,

You're losing control a bit,

And it's really distasteful.

Fuck you, fuck you!

Fuck you very very much!

Cause we all dislike you

And your sprayed to death 'do,

So please don't stay in touch.

Fuck you! Fuck you!

Fuck you very very much!

'Cause your words don't translate,

It's too late in this game,

So please don't stay in touch.

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you

Fuck you

You seem to think we need to go to war,

We'll good news, now you're in one.

Because you're a rich bitch who needs to be ditched,

No one wants your opinion.

Fuck you, fuck you!

Fuck you very very much!

Cause we all dislike you

And your sprayed to death 'do,

So please don't stay in touch.

Fuck you! Fuck you!

Fuck you very very much!

'Cause your words don't translate,

It's too late in this game,

So please don't stay in touch.

Fuck you, fuck you.

Fuck you, fuck you.

Fuck you, fuck you

Dalala lala lala

Fuck you, fuck you."

Alison was left entirely speechless as Mirai finished her performance, and the ritch bitch quickly stormed off toward the confessional.


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"That bloody fucking *BEEP*." Alison crosses her arms and legs as she stares into the camera angrily. "So first, Gabriel shook Watts out of his funk. AND THEN her fucking song reminded everyone that I'm playing to win and that don't care about them, WHICH SHE TOTALLY DIDN'T NEED TO DO! Oh, that girl is dead the second I see a good opportunity."

End Confessional


"Well, we only have one song left." Artemis yanwed. "Monica, take us home."

"Gladly." Monica smiled. "Mine's the best one anyways."

Monica's song: Sacrifice by Jeff Williams and Casey Lee Williams

"Close your eyes now, time for dreams,

Death is never what it seems.

Did the things you thought you should.

All the things they said were good.

All your faith in ancient ways,

Leaves you trapped inside a maze.

Take the lives of those you need,

Sow the death and reap the seed.

Reap the seed.

Born an angel, heaven-sent.

Falls from grace are never elegant.

Stars will drop out of the sky,

The moon will sadly watch the roses die.

In vain.

Lost, no gain,

But you're not taking me.

You can't have my life.

I'm not your sacrifice.

You can try but I'm free, and you won't conquer me.

I won't crawl,

Most of all, I won't fall for you.

Show them gods and deities,

Blind and keep the people on their knees.

Pierce the sky, escape your fate,

The more you try, the more you'll just breed hate.

And lies.

Truth will rise.

Revealed by mirrored eyes.

What if all the plans you made…

Were not worth the price they paid?

Even with the lives you stole…

Still no closer to your goal?

You can't have my life.

I'm not your sacrifice.

You can try but I'm free, and you won't conquer me.

I won't crawl,

Most of all, I won't fall for you!"

"Honestly, yeah. Best song, best singer. If this was an individual challenge, Monica just fucking destroyed all of you." Artemis admitted. "Anyways, time for Aaron to fuck off."
"Hey!" Aaron folded his arms. "All I did was sing a song!"

"No, you sang a song that someone I know would have sang, and that's called being a kiss-ass. You're out."


Confessional: Aaron: Team Ebisu.

"Well, that's not good. If it was just waiting on Artemis hand-and-foot, I'd be perfect. I'm very good at giving off that vibe, but no, she's determined to actually make this 'fuck you' to Chris into a legitimate challenge that a team can't cheese through. Whatever. We still have Ellie and Monica, they should carry us to victory, and if not, I'll just have another little talk with Phooko again."

End Confessional


"Alright, now that the songs are over…" Artemis wiped her mouth with a napkin as she finished her lunch. "My throat is really parched from watching you guys sing. Go get me some oasis water from the Ionad Desert. Now."


Round 5: Grab Artemis water from an oasis in the Ionad Desert

"Here's your fucking water." Monica was the first one back with a small glass of water. "Don't choke on it."

"Watch the tone. I'm the one running the challenge." Artemis warned..


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"What the hell, Artemis? Why can't we get you water from any of the other lakes and rivers? In fact, it'd be better for all of us if we did that! Or are you telling me you purposefully made us sing to you to get our throats dry and then forced us out into the desert to just 'see what would happen?'"

End Confessional


After Monica returned,

It was Gabriel.

After Gabriel, Watts,

After Watts, Alison.

"We're still waiting on Ellie and Mirai." Artemis tapped impatiently.

"Not anymore!"

Ellie quickly shoved a glass of water into Artemis's hand. "I got really nervous there for a second and almost spilled the drink in the desert, so I carried it slowly all the way over here."

"Well, I guess we'll just leave Mirai to the wilds." Artemis shrugged. "She's out of the challenge. Anyways, now that I've tasted that shitty oasis water,"


Confessional: Ellie: Team Ebisu

"You mean you didn't even really want this?"

End Confessional


"Now, you'll be tasked with…" Artemis thought to herself. "Ah, draw me a portrait of myself. Ten minutes. Go."


Round 6: Draw Artemis a portrait of herself

"But we don't have any tools," Watts noted.

"Then use fucking sand and sticks dumbass." Artemis rolled her eyes.

"Done." Monica smirked as she drew a stick figure caricature of Artemis in the dirt.

"Done." Ellie had quickly followed suit.

Watts, Gabriel, and Alison had taken their time, however.

It was clear they were trying to actually draw Artemis.


Confessional: Alison: Team Hayaji

"Artemis is one of the two, maybe three, people from Zero Sum who I held any sort of respect for, as such, I will not disgrace her with a stick figure."

End Confessional


"Done!" Both Gabriel and Watts said at roughly the same time, showing Artemis fairly decent dirt drawings of her.

"Alright, I guess." Artemis shrugged. "Anyways, Alison is out."

"Bollocks." Alison stopped her 3-dimensional sketch of Artemis pre-maturely.

"And now we're down to four…" Artemis looked at Gabriel, Watts, Ellie, and Monica. "Your next task… is to make me laugh."


Round 7: Make Artemis Laugh

"Chris thinks Pahkitew was a good season." Gabriel immediately sprang into action.

"Ha!" Artemis actually gave a laugh. "Good callback, you're safe."

"He also thinks he can beat Chef in an arm-wrestle."

"Ha!" Artemis let out another laugh. "What a loser. Anyways, no more ragging on Chris, makes me laugh too easily."

Monica and Watts both seemed stumped.

They each tried various jokes and puns,

But to no avail.

Until, finally,

Artemis had a laugh forced out of her.

"So, Artemis…" Watts mentioned off-hand as they were waiting for Monica to give an attempt at a joke.

"I've been curious for a while now… what do you make of Isaac's Cursed Island performance?"

"HA!" Artemis laughed loudly before cupping her mouth. "Please, he acted like even more of an idiot than usual. But I mean… I guess it was kind of fun… to see him doing that survival stuff again… but don't you dare tell him I said that!"

"I won't." Watts shrugged. "But I'm sure the internet will."

"Ugh, whatever." Artemis groaned. "Monica's out, and we're down to three. Your next round will be… Spilling me some tea."


Round 8: Spill Artemis some tea

"Like, actual, legit tea?" Gabriel asked.

"No, idiot, I mean gossip. Give me the goods. Whichever one of you gives me the least interesting thing about this game gets axed from the challenge."

"Then I guess…" Gabriel thought.

"Alison's had three different boyfriends since the game started, some at the same time."

"Ooooh." Artemis grinned. "Politician kid coming out strong! Nerdy one, you next!"

"Me?" Both Watts and Ellie asked at the same time.

"Ugh, I don't care." Artemis rolled her eyes. "I just wanted to see if either of you was aware of how nerdy you were. Guess you both are."

"Gee, thanks." Watts replied sarcastically. "Anyways Artemis, you might be interested to know… that the Sword Immunity Medal has been flushed with a blindside, and is no longer in play."

"Ew." Artemis scrunched up her nose. "That's boring game stuff. I want gossip."

"Then allow me to give you better gossip." Ellie suggested. "I assume you've seen the whole cast?"
"Yeah, so?"

"Cherry and Zaiyrin? They're a thing."
"SHUT UP!" Artemis's eyes went wide. "Now that is some freaking gossip! Gabriel and Ellie are coming along to the final round, one I hope you find as enjoyable as I did when I had to do the same thing!"


Round 9: Eat a piranha eyeball

"The heck is this?" Gabriel asked as he and Ellie sat down, each with a piranha eyeball in their hand.

"A piranha eyeball." Artemis explained. "On my count of 3, you're going to put it in your mouth holes and then, ideally, try to eat it before the other person. But hey, if you puke your guts out like I did when I had to try to ingest that shit, all the better for the cameras."

"I think that's enough of that then." Ellie tried to hurry Artemis along. "Maybe you could start the countdown… before the eyes get uh… too warm? Or cold? Not quite sure which is worse."

"Alright then, losers." Artemis smiled. "On 3, ready? 1… 2… 3!"

Gabriel and Ellie both immediately shoved the eyes into their mouths.


Confessional: Gabriel: Team Hayaji

"Oh, it was the grossest thing I'd ever tasted."

End Confessional


Confessional: Ellie: Team Ebisu

"That thing was absolutely disgusting! Why would Chris make Arte-… nevermind. Stupid question."

End Confessional


Both Gabriel and Ellie were able to brace through the unsavory food and chew their 'meals'.

Finally,

After a good couple of minutes,

One of them opened their mouths to reveal to Artemis that they had, in fact, finished the eyeball.

"And with that!" Artemis called out. "Gabriel wins for Team Hayaji! Team Hayaji stays in their luxury camp! But they won't be alone for long… soon, four of the remaining Team Ebisu members will join them! First though, a date with Chris at Tine Naofa because losers like you guys are so perfect for each other! Later nerds, I'm gone!"


Confessional: Chris & Chef

Chris turns to Chef inside the confessional and points his finger into the co-host's shoulder as they lock eyes.

"We are never letting her do a challenge, ever again!"

Chef gave Chris a look.
"And I keep telling you, she's starting them!"
End Confessional


Location: Tine Naofa Bonfire Elimination Ceremony

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

"Now that the shrew is finally gone…" Chris addressed a glum Team Ebisu as they made their way, for the second time in a row, to the Tine Naofa bonfire pit for the elimination ceremony. "We can get back to me running my show. Ellie, nice showing today. Props for finishing the eyeball even after you lost. How worried are you that your performance won't be enough? After all, you have no fellow Inari members here, and you seemed pretty shaken up by Erin's blindside."

"I was and still am shaken by that blindside, Chris." Ellie responded. "The better was gotten of me, and I can't deny that. I can only hope that my team saw my performance and thought that it had enough merit to keep me around."

"Actually." Monica smiled. "I've been hearing almost all game that the merge happens at the final 9. A good challenge performance in the final 10 is probably the perfect excuse to vote you off, I'd say."

"Well, what about you?" Phooko countered. "You did really well in this challenge too!"

"Thank you, Phooko." Monica smiled sweetly. "I did, didn't I? But unlike our cosplayer friend, I don't have a sidekick on that other team waiting for me when I get to the merge."

"Yes, this is something I've been saying for a while." Aaron nodded along. "Inari, Fudo, and Ebisu all have three members each, and since we have three Ebisu members present here, we might want to work together to cripple Inari or Fudo. We can't touch Fudo right now, and they seem to not be unified anyways given those songs, but we can touch Inari. Very easily. Let's just cut the head off the snake."

"An astute observation…" Ellie bluffed. "But let's also remember that Monica is the only one here with an immunity medal. Letting something that powerful into the merge should be a big no-no, especially since she's the only one who can benefit from it."

"Oh, what's this?" Aaron's eyes lit up. "Ellie… lying? Don't bother hiding it, you pinched the edge of your shirt from the stress. It looks like… Monica might not be the only one of us with a medal after all, and given you do have allies on the other team, your target just got a heck of a lot bigger."

"Fine, I admit it." Ellie took out her medal and wore it around her neck like Monica. "But now Monica and I both have medals. If you target one of us, we can just play it and send one of the Ebisu home, so you'd have to hope you target the right person."

"Well, I think I've done a good job of showing the true threat to my fellow Ebisu members." Aaron smiled. "Even if you take one of us out, we'll have robbed you of a medal."

"If you choose the right one to rob." Monica smiled.

"If you choose to play the medal in the first place." Mirai added.

"I think…" Phooko piped up. "That team banners… are stupid at this point in the game."

"Phooko!" Mirai gasped.

"Phooko!" Aaron fake-gasped.

Phooko looked towards Mirai. "How much do you trust me?"

"Not much after last ceremony." Mirai shrugged. "But enough to at least listen, What is it?"

"We might not be able to eliminate Ellie or Monica if we choose the wrong one, and we can't as Ebisu split votes because it leaves us open to a coordinated attack from Ellie and Monica. That means… our safest option to remain in the game is to cannibalize the team and to vote an Ebisu off."

"Now wait a minute…" Aaron urged Mirai. "I might not be the most reliable, but the man you just heard that from has stabbed you in the back with full intent to eliminate you. If we have to vote an Ebisu off, let's vote for him. He's got the killer instinct."

"I do." Phooko nodded. "But I am no killer. Not yet. That depends on how the vote goes."

"WOW." Chris grinned. "So… from the look of things… the only one that isn't a target is Mirai, and she was the target last time! If we were continuing with the team phase after this elimination ceremony, I'd warn you guys about needing to be unified. I suppose we'll see how well-knit you are anyways though, because it is time to vote. Phooko, you're up first."


Confessional: Phooko: Team Ebisu

"I'm certain you were the villain Davon was talking about, Aaron. It's time for you to go."
End Confessional


Confessional: Monica: Team Ebisu

"Bwahahahahahahhhh… oh, this is going to be so funny."
End Confessional


Confessional: Mirai: Team Ebisu

"I just… I don't know which one of you guys I can trust but… if I want to play based on my own safety, I guess you're my best bet."
End Confessional


Confessional: Ellie: Team Ebisu

"That was an excellent pivot during the questioning, taking the target off of me, and I intend to repay the kindness by doing what I can to shield you."
End Confessional


Confessional: Aaron: Team Ebisu

"This was not how things were supposed to go, but it's clear to me that I'm being left with no choice here. Fine, Phooko. Let's cannibalize ourselves, but you're a fish… and I'm a shark."
End Confessional


"Alright…" Chris returned from tallying the votes. He held four medals on a silver platter.

"Before I hand out the medals, if any of you have an immunity medal and would like to play it…

Now would be the time to do so."

All eyes went towards Ellie and Monica.

Monica shook her head with a smile.

Ellie curled herself up into a ball. She nervously looked on as she motioned for Chris to hand medals away.

"Mirai." Chris announced, giving Mirai her medal.

"WOO!" Mirai cheered as she rushed up and grabbed her medal.

"Monica." Chris smiled.

Monica stood up with a smile of her own and retrieved her medal.

"Ellie." Chris chuckled as Ellie uncurled from her ball and walked up to receive her medal as well.

"Well, gentlemen… tonight Ebisu has cannibalized itself." Chris confirmed. "This is the last medal of the night.

And it goes to…

….

… Phooko."

Chris tossed Phooko the final medal.

Aaron shot up out of his seat. "Excuse me?!" He twirled towards the rest of the team. "How?!"

"Bwahahahahahaaaaah!" Monica laughed as she clutched her medal for the night to her heart. "Don't act that surprised!" She pleaded. "Surely you must have seen this coming after you wasted that hidden Fish Medal on your emotional baggage girlfriend!"

"Ex-girlfriend." Mirai corrected.

"But… but…" Aaron put a hand to his head. "I don't understand this… the game I was playing…"

"It led you straight to 10th place, bro." Chris shrugged. "Them's the brakes I guess. Sorry, you just barely missed out on the merge. The Tomb of Shame, if you please."

"I just can't believe it…" Aaron continued to mutter to himself, looking around, confused, as he slowly made his way towards the Tomb of Shame.

"And that's the end of an era here on Total Drama Nialasach!" Chris announced into the camera. "We're down to the single digits, which means the merge is upon us! Who will win it all, and who will be the next to fall? Find out next time,

On Total!

Drama!

Niiiiialasach!"


*Aaron's Final Confessional:

"Tenth? Tenth?! I did my best to copy a strategy I know to be successful and I get tenth? I must have overlooked something. Perhaps it was Phooko. He came at me out of nowhere like that. I had a feeling his game was too quiet… that kid's been watching my moves hasn't he? That's the only way this could have happened, I think… and then there's Mirai… I can't believe after all that effort I put in for her, she still didn't trust me fully. And Monica… oh, she'll get what's coming to her for that betrayal. She's going to find ditching her only ally was a misplay on her part. I guess for now I'll root for Phooko, since clearly he was behind my departure, and he's an Ebisu, but seriously, can't I at least have gotten to the final 5? C'mon..."

End Confessional*


The Votes for those who are curious

Aaron voted for… Phooko

Ellie voted for… Aaron

Mirai voted for… Phooko

Monica voted for… Aaron

Phooko voted for… Aaron


AN:

And Aaron is gone. He's placed 10th, and now we're gonna merge.

Anyways,

Aaron was one of my favorite submissions because he really leaned into one of the themes going on this season, which I won't say now, but I mean… you guys can probably guess.

To be honest, I do have a little bit of a regret with how Aaron was handled, I think I was so excited for his lean into one of the themes that I accidentally had him leaning too far into it. Granted that was always going to be his downfall, but what's done is done I suppose.

Still, when he wasn't leaning into the themes and he was just being himself, he was actually quite the powerful player, and to get rid of him right before the merge is unquestionably a huge game-changer going forwards.

For those of you wondering, Aaron's alignment was (surprise surprise) Neutral Evil (NE).

Having studied has actions throughout the season, Aaron receives the status of: Villain

I mean, he certainly wasn't the other two, but I think, ironically, despite very clearly being a fan of Oswald… Aaron comes across as more of an 'evil Hubert' than anything else, which yes is a thing I tried to do on purpose. I mean, Oswald would never save another player with an idol, please, that's one of the things Hubert is known for.

Aaron's best moment: Very hard to pin down for me, but I'mma give it to the Erin blindside. That was him, using what he had at his disposal, and making a move that he thought would benefit him. For that moment, he wasn't trying to play Oswald's game, and he was just simply a villain making a villainous move. If only he had been more lucky during the outlining process, he'd have had more opportunities for it.

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

Aaron will be back for the finale! Can his detective skills give his Winner pick the edge they need?

THE MERGE IS UPON US! HOW'S THAT GONNA GO?

Helen's challenge is up next, any ideas for what it's going to be?


AN2: Discord server! Link on profile!


EN: And another Nialasach episode edited. Um… I don't really know what to talk about here. It's been so long since I've written one of these as a legit editor and not a co-writer. I would make a joke as to what I think the next challenge is, but I have seen the outline before (not like I really remember it though), so I don't know if it's really fair…

Oh, oh okay, I got one for Helen.

Helen's next challenge will give immunity to the contestant that can give the best Helen speech to the rest of the competition.


AN3: And as always, thanks for reading!