The hunt for the $10 million continued as Chris and Chef watched from high above the sky. The blades of the helicopter buzzed through their helmets as they waited with dull expressions. They knew these kids were not the brightest, but there were limits to their expectations. And their patience could barely hold out against the last two hours of waiting.
"Sheesh! What is with these campers!?" Chris looked at his clock with a grimace. Beside him, Chef had the same thought, humming in disapproval as he peered through binoculars. Contestants were split in every direction but the correct path as each group ran frantically searching for the prize. This season had started strong, with a great climax, but the extra-dramatic finale was thinning in excitement.
It's a good thing there was video editing, but not in real life.
Behind the hosts, the gentlemen who escorted Danny over were lounging in the seats behind. They would have enjoyed the view if they had not remembered that a certain merc with a mouth was not with them.
Gwen had been leading her boyfriend and Leshawna through the woods as Trent followed. After giving away all their secrets to Justin, much to the ire of the boys, their legs were threatened to be busted as the dense forestry was explored.
Stopping for some air, everyone lay by a tree as the four noticed their original batch of six was short two. Specifically listing DJ and Cody as the missing cohorts, who had left them before the run-in with the deceptive eye candy.
"Gwen...Where are Cody and DJ?" Danny asked between breaths.
"I guess they got lost or something. When did we lose them?" Gwen looked around, now standing up. "It couldn't have been long."
"Was it before or after giving away all our secrets? Answer me that."
"You're not gonna let that go, huh?"
"Nope." This time, Trent joined in as he and the ghost boy answered simultaneously. The two wore dopey smiles that taunted the girls. The latter could only sigh in defeat at their mistake.
"Ok, this is pathetic, campers! It's been two hours, and no one has come close to finding the suitcase!" Chris yelled over the speakers. "So, here's your first clue: It's just...hanging around."
Danny paused, wondering what kind of clue that was supposed to be. Then again, this is reality tv and cryptic hits seemed to be a norm, despite his lack of knowing the genre. Still, this was the kick in the pants the group needed as everyone got up and started running again.
"Alright, an all-guy alliance!" Owen cheered with fists pumping in the air. "This is awesome!"
"Guys, rules!" Tyler mimicked the hefty party animal in a show of manliness. "I've been hitting the weights since I got kicked off. Working on my fierceness!"
His testosterone display was immediately cut off as Eva pushed him with one limp arm as she walked away with Noah, both literally walking over the red-clad, sweatless jock. Izzy, in all her craziness, followed in a frenzied walk, pointing and laughing at the boy.
Owen and DJ helped Tyler up as Cody watched the three leave. He was honestly scared of a know-it-all, a jerk jock, and the craziest person on the island, including Deadpool, teaming up. He was spaced out, almost looking at the horizon with a deep sigh.
"What's wrong, little buddy?" Owen asked.
"Is it about Gwen?" DJ asked. "I thought you were over her?"
"Maybe. I mean, Danny and I have the same look. So why did I not have a shot?" Cody sighed, hunching over. "I mean, I can't help feel like I missed something."
"Hey, don't worry, there are many fish are in the sea," Owen wrapped a pudgy arm around the boy, squeezing as much negativity as he could.
"But there is only one Gwen…"
"Let's forget about that and go find the money. Woo-hoo!" Tyler yelled through Cody's sigh as if to pump up the entire team. And it was working, much to his delight, as a smile ran onto the latter's face.
In fraternal frenzy, the boy charged forward with asymmetrical war cries. While Cody could not say he was completely over his affections for the hot, goth girl, the friendship accumulating could now be seen for all its worth.
The trees sped past as testosterone fueled a rush through the woods, despite the brevity of the sprint. While not all of the boys were not the most athletic, the hard partying habits of Owen cost him greatly in the sports department as he dropped his friend to bend over panting.
And this would not be the first time.
Stopping by a nearby pond, the boys took a break only ten minutes since their last one earlier, only five minutes after the previous, as the party animal slowed down. The boy managed to keep a consistent pace walking, but he was in no shape for marathons.
"Owen, man, we got to talk about your eating habits," DJ spoke in concern.
"Yeah. A protein shake a day and you party even longer!" Tyler flexed his muscles as they remained hidden in his sweatshirt.
The others shared a look of disapproval, knowing the futility of adding more to the diet instead of less. Maybe protein shots instead of Jell-O, but exercise and weight were a must. Basic health habits.
A sigh came from DJ as he looked to the sky for a moment, when his eyes were blinded by a flash of light. With a hand over hie vision, the boy saw the breifcase with the million dollars. "There it is! I see it! The million dollars!" He yelled with a pointed finger. "Right there, in that tree!"
"FINALLY!" Chris's voice could be heard all across the island.
In celebration, Tyler scaled the tree to the branch the case was tied to, only to fall in defeat and some mud. But this did not deter the jock as he got up to climb again. And again. And again. After the fifth time, it seemed the boy persisted mostly out of pride before he finally freed the prize money, taking his last drop.
Owen held onto the case, savoring the prize money he almost won.
Danny and Gwen were racing through the wood with Leshawna and Trent following soon. They could hear the yells of the boys echoing through the woods, an impressive feat next to the yell Chris gave out earlier.
"Somebody found the case?" Danny asked.
"Somebody found the case," Gwen reiterated.
Groans were passed around as the group ran towards the place to go: the Dock of Shame. The race to cut off the case was on as the entire island centered on the case prize. If only they knew of the group who had it, and the impeding trouble that followed.
"The case is almost at the campground. Get your butts in gear, people. It's 10 million big ones!" Chris exclaimed on the announcement system.
Trent, Gwen, and Danny rushed back to the campground while Leshawna lagged behind them. There was no time to lose.
"Come on, guys, let's move it!" Gwen rallied with renewed vigor.
"There has to be a faster way to get there," Leshawna complained, clutching her thighs.
Suddenly, Chief, on an ATV, drove next to the four teens. "Hey, have any of you punks seen a hot air balloon gone by? Courtney took it from one of our cameramen!" Chief explained quickly before he sped off.
"Courtney has a hot air balloon. Oh, she's totally going to win-wait. Courtney's on a hot air balloon?" Gwen stopped as her friends and boyfriend did the same. They all looked to the sky to see the mode of air transport in question floating slowly away with something hanging on its side.
"I know it's important you win, but wow...just...wow." Danny was in complete astonishment. "What are the odds?"
"You're telling me." Trent stared at the balloon. "I'm gonna be honest, I was thinking there would be, I dunno, something crazier, like an alligator or even Owen's gas." That earned a confused look from the ghost boy. "Trust me. You do not wanna know."
"You mean like that?" Leshawna pointed to a beaver dam, where they saw a familiar pair of short shorts fanning at them. On top of the rear end, a beaver seemed to napping in the sun, swaying its pad-like tail as it slapped the girl's behind repeatedly.
Through the screams, the teen could identify the girl as Heather, whose head was stuck inside the dam like she was mimicking an ostrich. Cries for help were heard as the bevear's relentless spanking continued as the slpas were audlibly heard, making the teen wince.
"And I thought the twisted wet towel was bad," Danny cringed.
"Yeah. That looks really bad," Gwen added. "Beavers can be really mean."
"I'll bet she's wishing she wasn't wearing those teeny shorts now." Leshawna smiled, taking her phone out to snap a photo.
"Should we help her?" Trent asked. It took less than a second for everyone to burst out laughing for a good minute.
The group ran off to reclaim the prize, leaving Heather to her fate. She deserved it.
However, they were still far from the campgrounds, too far to reach in time on foot. But luck seemed to be on their side as Chef was seen ahead, staring at the hot air balloon. Looking closer, it seemed Courtney had Owen, DJ, Cody, and Tyler, who were tied together for some reason, hanging on the side of the dirigible while a bear was climbing up the microphone cord that was dropped lower.
"Is this the kind of crazy you were looking for?" Danny asked.
"Pretty much." Trent nodded.
The sound of a grown man being knocked out drew their attention as three teens saw Leshawna grabbing an unconscious Chef off his ATV. Dropping her club, she revved the motor vehicle, gesturing for the group to jump on. There was no way she was going to lose this prize.
The campground zoomed into their vision as the teens entered. For some reason, Leshawna saw Heather, who somehow got there first. "Yo Heather, this is for calling me a big butted, loudmouth mall shopping home girl!" The engine was revved again.
"Uh, guys, I think we should get off!" Danny told Gwen and Trent.
"You're right!" the two said in unison as they got off the ATV. Lashawna charged at Heather and Harold.
From there, the craziest chain of events Danny ever saw unfolded. Heather and Harold ran from the ATV to the docks and fell into the water as Leshawan jumped up, climbing up a diving board ladder where more campers were standing. Courtney was seen jumping off the hot air balloon and into the group's center.
The case slipped from Leshawna's grasp while she tried to get it where Courtney's hands then bounced and landed next to Lindsey's group to be taken by Justin, who jumped out of a plane that crashed and damaged the diving board. Before Justin can leave with the money, Izzy commands Noah and Eva to dump water on his head so a fish gets stuck in his hair.
Izzy placed a bucket on Justin's head and ran off with the case. She tripped and let go of the case, causing it to bounce toward the docks. The diving board collapsed, causing the team of Owen, DJ, Cody, and Tyler to be untied from their rope bindings, only for them to get separated. Cody and Tyler fell into the pool, and then Owen and DJ slid with Courtney, Leshawna, Bridgette, and Geff. Duncan was on a male moose's antlers.
Gwen and her group made it to where the case was bouncing around while Lindsay and Beth went after it. As they made it to the pier, the group that was on the broken diving board, which also had Justin's parachute being pulled along with it, crashed into them alongside Harold and Heather. The moose stops, causing Duncan to be flung into the water. When everyone else fell into the water, the case floated for a second before getting eaten by a shark. A seagull made a caw-like laughing sound before getting eaten by the shark.
"I know this is crazy, but this is gonna be an awesome show when I see it," Danny said in surprise and some anticipation.
Vlad, who was keeping tabs on things back in Amity Park, was getting prepared for his interview with Dee. Being tied to a backwater town in politics was tricky, but the man had the charisma to do as he pleased. While he straightened his tie, his pocket buzzed from his phone. A suave smile formed as the call was answered.
"What is it?" Vlad said.
"Good news. I have captured the target, and I'm heading to Amity Park. It will take me about three hours ..." Skulker said.
"Excellent. Now, ensure the target is locked up after I get there…" Vlad said.
"Alright, goodbye…" Skulker hung up.
Vlad placed the phone back into his pocket and walked up to what was supposed to be the claw to get the guest and the host to the stage. Vlad rode the claw to the host's couch. Sitting on the couch was a woman who seemed to be Vlad's age or maybe older, but no one knew. She had long red hair, wore a pink blouse and blond purple pants, and had a pinkish necklace and large orange earrings. She wore purple eyeshadow.
"Welcome to the Dee show, Mayor Masters…" Dee said with a smile.
"Oh, you can just call me Vlad, Dee. We are not in Amity Park for you to call me that…" Vlad reassured her.
"Oh, such a gentlemen …" she said, looking at the half-ghost man lustfully .
Vlad didn't notice this and kept on with the conversation they would have.
As they began the interview about Vlad being a millionaire and then becoming a mayor, in the studio control room, Parker Kovic was getting worried about the lustful glances that Dee was giving Vlad. Knowing the host and her tendencies heavily harass the guest . She gets ready to press the eject button when Dee starts being personal with Vlad.
Too personal.
Kovic could see the cringe rolling off Mr. Masters as the hostess leaned into the man, pillowing her chest near his chin. A self-inflicted smack on the forehead was already a bad idea.
And just like that, the interview was over with the push of a button. Dee would tear into Parker for that, not that it was the first or the last time.
"I'm really sorry about that, Mayor Masters. This was supposed to be a professional interview, but—"
"Professional!?" Vlad cut into Parker's words. "That woman seemed like she'd assault me on national television! Since when is that professional!?"
Given the ejection, Vlad had just stepped off the stage as he dusted himself off. Cooties were nonexistent, but the way Dee moved onto him like a mountain lion made him question that remark.
"I'm leaving, and I know you'll understand why I won't be coming back for another interview," Vlad said, grasping his coat collar as he left in a huff.
Danny and the rest of the contestants got out. Was the water very wet and upset that the shark had eaten $10 million?
"Oh great, now what!" Lashawna yelled.
Chris and Blake exited the helicopter, looking at the 16 teenagers getting the water out of their clothes.
"So you lost the case. Way to go…." Chris stated, "Since none of you got the money, then officially, you all tie. Which means you will have another shot at winning the ten million dollars!" The teens cheered.
"In season two!"