"So…" Duncan didn't really know how to start the conversation. He was typically used to being more, well, in tune with everything. Even in completely unexpected situations he knew just what to do and say, but this was a bit more unexpected than most. "How 'ya holding up?"

Dawn blinked at him. "Fine, though we never speak much, and your aura's all over the place right now. Something on your mind?"

"Gah, all this aura crap with you!" Duncan feigned annoyance to blow off some steam. He looked at Dawn, who seemed completely unphased, and he sighed. This wasn't easy. "I dunno, just trying to figure something out right now, and you seem like the best conversationalist on our team."

"Better than Cody and Gwen?"

Duncan twisted in his seat a bit, and looked away. He wasn't jealous of Cody or anything, it was just weird right? Wouldn't think Gwen would kiss a dork like him, and she already turned him down anyway.

"That's kind of the issue." Duncan sighed, spinning his bar chair around so he could lean against the counter. He had barely even registered that they were at the bar. "Here, you and Cody are a thing, right?" He smirked a bit as Dawn's face shifted. "Y'know, I always thought being pasty wasn't too great. Makes it easier to tell when you're-" Dawn's dainty hand slapped against Duncan's mouth quickly.

"Don't say it." She said, her voice somewhat strained. "There's… already someone he likes, and it sounds like he got them." Duncan wisely chose not to make any comments on how Dawn's face darkened, nor did he comment on what came after. He just sat by to keep her company while she let it out.

Greece was exactly as Cody had expected it, though he was operating on the opposite team this time. Team Chris won the physical competition despite Sierra being less… crazy this time around, and Bridgette managed to take home the gold against the boar-bear against Alejandro and Gwen. The concluding race ended with Heather getting an easy win against Noah and Bridgette (her having to participate in all three events definitely sucked for her).

But, since every event had a different team winning, it all came down to…

"The tiebreaker!" Chris shouted. "One member from each team must strap on the wings and take flight, and secure their team the gold and some fancy first class passes. I'll let all of you decide whose up for the challenge."

"But wait, what happens to the two teams that don't get a gold medal?" Bridgette asked, genuinely concerned since there wasn't much left of her team to vote off.

"Whoever hits the ground first without getting the gold will be deemed as the loser. If nobody gets the gold, then I guess you kids can just keep flying up there." Chris laughed at this, leaving the teams to decide amongst themselves.

"I think… Noah should do it." Alejandro suggested, and tried desperately to hide his smirk as Noah glared at him.

"Come on, you think all the muscles I lacked in my legs were hiding in my arms? Physical activities aren't my forte." Noah snarked back. His glare shifted in a rather expected direction. "Get Cody to do it, he's smaller than me, and probably has more strength anyways."

"I mean, wasn't he like, out of it for a year?" Owen asked, looking between Noah and Cody.

"Yeah, but he's been wheeling himself around pretty fine the past few weeks, heck, he's basically walking now." Noah said, gesturing to the cane Cody had now upgraded to.

Cody really didn't feel like defending himself right now, but he also didn't want to fall fifty feet without a meat shield like Tyler under him.

" Mi amigo is right." Alejandro feigned friendliness when gesturing to Owen as he said that. "Cody is simply too weak right now, I understand his… resistance to participating in these challenges. If Owen or I went up as well, those wings surely wouldn't be able to carry us. It's up to you Noah."

"Screw this!" Noah shouted, but before he could start a tirade, a familiar ding sounded. "Come on, right now?"

"I saw you guys having fun deciding over there, and figured it'd make for some good TV if you could sing your argument."

Noah's heated glare bounced around. From Chris, to Alejandro, and finally to Cody. "Fine." He said, raising a hand in the air and jabbing a finger out to Cody.

From what I've gathered, you grew up nice and sheltered

With Dawn's little stories and your own made up furies!

Cody backed away in shock, the cane he was using falling away… but he could stand on his own for this.

And God gave me a magic helper.

Cody looked over to Dawn and smiled, hoping she understood.

Why yes I think it's true and fair to say.

Noah sneered, stalking around Cody as the rest of the group watched on. Cody forgot how hard it was to actually ad-lib one of these things… Did what he sing even make sense?

Cody's thoughts were interrupted though by a pounding headache, one that came completely out of nowhere and seemingly caused the world around him to deteriorate. Looking around, he could still see himself and Noah, but someone else was there… someone he'd never seen before.

It was a small girl from the looks of it, far younger than either of them, and it seemed only Cody could see her based on Noah's ever maintained scowl in Cody's direction. Before Cody could even say anything, she decided to join in on their 'party'.

C'mon in and listen,

Lost thoughts you've been missing,

The desires you're bearing,

The eye of the darkness, your light!

What… Did that mean? The girl sadistically grinned at Cody briefly, before melting away into the darkness, Noah once again taking all of Cody's attention.

So you were drawn to us early on?

Cody could barely think between the headache and the rush of this song. Noah meant his reasoning, right? That he actually loved everyone, an impossible reason that only Cody could truly believe.

My dreams weren't supposed to go that way!

His dreams… yeah. He wanted to win and have fun, only to end up here, his friend trying to beat him down emotionally.

And you had nightmares night and day?

Cody blinked and looked back up at Noah, who shouldn't possibly be able to remember that, Dawn helped him make sure of that. His answer came in the form of the mysterious girl from before, seemingly whispering into Noah's ear despite Noah not even noticing her. Just what was she?

Y-yeah but with Dawn I chased those dreams away!

Who knew?

Cody nearly jumped out of his skin as the light voice of the girl descended on him, her verses going right through him. She giggled, a hollow laugh that did little to hide the malice in her eyes as Cody turned to look at her.

So true.

A mocking phrase, and she vanished from sight once more.

Here~ is the clue,

Of hope to remember,

Desires they come true,

Obeying the viewer too.

The girl returned to her position in the middle, singing out verses Cody could barely parse the meaning of in the moment.

Show me the Champion of Light!

Dawn burst into their song, and this time Noah did take notice of her. So just what was the girl then?

I'll show you the Herald of Darkness!

The girl came back, appearing on top of Dawn so she could grip her shoulders, continuing the song.

Lost in a never ending night!

Cody was starting to get into the song, despite the insanity currently happening in front of him, and he motioned for Noah to follow up. Cody tried to contain himself as he saw Noah briefly show a glimmer of mirth, followed by a less stern look at Cody.

You'll be diving deep to the surface!

Noah finished his line, and as if in sync, the two boys let out exasperated howls, releasing all the energy that had been built up during the song. As Cody did this, the world faded back to how it should be, and the pair were greeted by the nonplussed to outright embarrassed stares around them.

"That was… interesting?" Gwen tried her hand at a compliment, though it came across as a mother complimenting her son's first grade play.

"Try lame." Heather sighed, throwing on her typical 'I don't know any of you' show.

"Yeah, kind of have to agree. You guys trying for a rock opera or something? This is a pop music show, kids." Chris shook his head. "Whatever, who do you pick?"

"I'll go." Cody smiled, looking over to Noah. The other boy still seemed annoyed but… less so. It was a start.

Cody managed to snag victory for his team, and Bridgette's clumsy nature shone through during the challenge, resulting in her plummeting to the ground. Noah seemed a bit put out by his song's predictions not coming true, but he didn't seem as angry anymore. Maybe the two could work things out.

Alejandro and Owen seemed impassive about the whole situation, just happy to be in first class once again.

Team Amazon on the other hand seemed a bit more on edge. Cody couldn't tell why, but Dawn had been less talkative than usual, and spending more time with Duncan of all people. Heather was keeping to herself, Sierra was 'updating her blog', and Gwen was…

Huh.

Cody hadn't thought about what happened a few days ago until now, but it came back to his mind as he laid in his first class seat. Gwen. The kiss they shared was something he'd always wanted, the girl approaching him of her own volition, her own choice , and wanting to love him. Not Trent, not Duncan, and not because he manipulated her. She chose him over everyone else.

A long time ago, he would've killed for that, would've given up everything he had just for that. But, now…

He shook his head. There was something a bit bigger to focus on. That girl during the song, just who on Earth was she? She was certainly supernatural, like when Dawn brought herself to the Island last year, but what happened was completely different. Only Cody and seemingly Dawn could see her, and she transformed how Cody saw the world in that moment, and what she said…

"What'd she mean by desires?" Cody asked himself, gazing at the roof of the plane. Desire was a keyword at the heart of everything he did on the Island. 108 loops of fulfilling personal desires and struggling, only to continually fall apart.

His desire to win, his desire to escape, his desire for revenge, his desire for friendship. His desire for love.

His desire for Gwen.

He thought back to that kiss, the taste of the goth's lipstick on his own lips, the passion he felt from her end, the heat of the moment… and Cody could only arrive at a singular conclusion.

"I think I'm over her."