The camera begins recording, focusing on a small man with raven hair, approximately forty years old. He's talking on the phone, his face etched with a visible frown, clearly displaying his frustration.

"I still don't get it, Christine! They're both my children; I have the legal right to be with them," he argues. The person on the other end responds, further aggravating him. "And? What I do during my time with them is my business!"

Filled with rage, he abruptly ends the call. Suddenly aware of being recorded, he shoots an accusatory glare at the cameraman.

"Excuse me? Can't I have any privacy?" The camera pans from right to left, denying his request. The door to the waiting room opens, and a large, muscular black man steps out.

"Chef, how did the interview go?" the man inquires.

"I didn't sign, Chris," Chef Hatchet responds, shrugging his shoulders.

"What? You're not returning to the show?" Chris asks, surprised.

"I know you want me back, but the cooking show contract is far better than dealing with these idiots." Chef Hatchet shrugs at McLean's disappointed expression. "This isn't goodbye, Chris. It's a 'see you later,' you know."

"It's just... Who will be my co-host now?" Chris expresses concern.

"Mr. Romaniconti said he would handle that. Whether I've accepted or not doesn't affect your contract." With that, Chef leaves the room, leaving Chris sitting there, covering his face.

"Stop it! Why the heck are you still recording?" Chris complains, despising being captured in such a vulnerable state."Mr. McLean, this is for you." A secretary emerges from the same door as the Chef and hands Chris a manila envelope, which he hastily tears open. The camera zooms in on Chris as he reacts to what he finds inside.

"Here's... a contract to host a new season, rights to award five hundred thousand dollars in prize money plus a scholarship, and... deeds to a train under my name?!" Chris, incredulous, looks at the secretary, who gestures for him to come into the office. "Seriously dude, is this some kind of joke? Because this is a really bad day to make fun of me!"

"This is no joke, Mr. McLean." Inside the office sits a man around fifty years old, dressed in a black tracksuit, adorned with gold rings and black sunglasses. His hair is slicked back with gel. On his desk, there's a nameplate reading: Salazar Romaniconti. "See, my daughter, is a huge fan of your show, and it's a tragedy that you find yourself without a job."

"I'm not without a job! I'm currently filming Badminton 2!"

"So, you're desperate... Just sign the contract, I'll give you complete creative control of the show," says the man, releasing an ominous laugh.

"Wait, wait, wait. This is too good to be true. Which network is this contract with?"

"With none, Mr. McLean. Nobody watches TV anymore. It's all about the internet; that's where the series will be aired. I'm funding everything, so don't worry."

Chris hesitates for a second, reads through the contract, skipping the fine print, and finally signs.

"Do I also have the freedom to choose the contestants? Because I know they've got nearly thirty already, but I've always wanted to see Lindsay win a season."

"Primarily, that's where my decision reigns. Let's just say I already have an idea for the cast... Don't worry, i know you'll love it," Mr. Romaniconti says, starting to chuckle softly, gradually turning his laugh into a villainous one. Chris joins in, releasing maniacal laughter.

"Oh boy, it feels good to be back."

¿Qué más muchachos? I've finally decided to stop being a sad spectator and i started writing my first SYOC fanfic. This season will be partially based, at least in setting and format, on the fanfic Total Drama: World Tour Express by Vychissoise: It is the fanfic that inspired me to start writing in the first place and I would recommend that you read it if you can understand Spanish, it is a hidden gem.

Of course, I have chosen to go with a smaller season, I don't want to start with SYOCs trying to manage more than 18 characters, so that is the number I will accept.

I should clarify that even if I have insignificant sheets stating that my English is at C1 level, English is not my main language and I still have a lot to learn, so if there is any recommendation or advice you would like to give me, it will be greatly appreciated.

To be frank, the update pace will be quite dependent on my schedule and personal life, but I can promise you that I won't make you wait more than two months for a new chapter.

Now, with nothing else to add, let's state the rules.

1. Applications must be sent via PM, please title them in the format "Total Drama: Express Tour – Character Name". That way it will be easier for me to organize the information

2. Each person can submit a maximum of two characters.

3. When accepting the characters I will prioritize having characters from different users, as I figure out the cast I will send a PM answering if your character was accepted, and if not, I will give you a proper justification. Nothing i hate more tan the intrigue of silence.

4. As for the characters, no magical or superhuman abilities, I will not accept Mary Sue/Gary Stu and be sure to balance your character stats, remember that the best characters are always the ones with both flaws and strengths.

5. Try to be as detailed as you can in the application, I will make my own creative decisions if I see a hole that needs to be filled.

Finally…

Total Drama SYOC Application:

Name:

Nickname (optional):

Stereotype:

Age (16-18):

Hometown:

Gender:

Pronouns:

Sexuality:

Physical Appearence (include body type, height and weight, facial features and hair style):

Everyday Clothes:

Swimwear:

Pajamas:

Formal Wear:

Backstory (2-3 paragraphs should be fine):

Personality (2-3 paragraphs should be fine):

Character Theme (Optional; give me a song that you think matches your character o their favorite song):

Physical Strength (1-10):

Intelligence (1-10):

Street Smarts/Wisdom (1-10):

Charisma/Friendliness (1-10):

Loyalty (1-10):

Manipulation Skills (1-10):

Languages they can speak or understand (important thing in a world tour):

Talents (up to 3):

Likes (at least 2):

Dislikes(at least 2):

Strengths (up to 3):

Weaknesses (include at least 2):

Fears (must have at least 1):

Relationship status (tell me, are they in a relationship? If no, they're searching for one?):

Ideal Love Interest (Wich kind of person would they be attracted to?):

Ideal Storyline (Optional; wich role do you think the character would fit the better in the story?)

Wich kind of people would your character like?:

Wich kind of people would your character dislike?:

Have they watched Total Drama before? What's their favorite aspect of the show?:

Thoughts about Chris McLean:

Game Strategy:

Intentions with the prize:

AUDITION TAPE: