Author's note: WHAT? ANOTHER INTERLUDE?
Sorry guys, this time I create an interlude because of one single reason... I was writing most of this with the next episode of total drama, but that chapter got too big, and I wasn't even on the start of the second part of the challenge. So I decided to cut it, and write more of the next chapter, tonight and publish tomorrow or after tomorrow. So I wish you all to have another interlude and have some fun. Enjoy this chapter as I will write the reviews.
Also, I have made a new fanart of Ezekiel, that it will appear in my Deviantart, at the time you finish reading this chapter. You can check my Deviantart where it will be Ezekiel with his new haircut, so prepare yourself everyone.
Reviews:
MatiasND: Well nobody would want that, but I think Bridgette and Courtney are going to be fun into trying to prove that both are a couple, while failing many times Hahahahaha. So don't worry about Ezekiel and Izzy thought, they are always prepared. XD
Wolfang21 : I liked this new motto, I think I will use it on the future XD, but yeah with Bridgette and Courtney, you will have a lot of fun on the next chapters until everything was coming together.
KenWil2001 : You will see.
Mr. E Guest: I'm so excited for the next few chapters, when Chris finally reach the Playa Del Losers, it's going to be the funniest episode I will ever write. XD, so prepare yourselves.
Just a wee Guest : Yep, Duncan is screwed, but it will be fun to see it. Have fun with this chapter XD.
HeavenlyMark :Check this chapter, and then after reading you can go at my Deviantart account and see the fanart made of Ezekiel with his new haircut. XD
KeybladeZero : Yes and No, if you read the chapter, you will see they are a Total Drama Version of them.
bardockfloo: Good suggestions, but I had this idea for a long time ago, so prepare to be surprised.
duskrider : Well, who knows? When Chris read the first official book, I would like to see how I'm going to write his reaction of Courage the Cowardly Dog first book, and the audio book of one chapter, only for him. Hehehehe.
Benny Farr : I won't go that far into making them prank Bridgette and Courtney, I think Izzy is going to enjoy so much to see them trying to figure out and failing a lot of times, while the votation of who is going to be eliminated... It's not up to Izzy and Ezekiel, since as Ezekiel explained... at the moment the twin girls say the first name, it's going to be a domino effect. So prepare yourself.
Alright everyone, enjoy this interlude and prepare for the next chapter in a few days.
(?)
Nestled in the scenic wilderness of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, along Highway 19, known for its lush forests and stunning coastal views. This location provides a perfect blend of natural beauty and accessibility for truck drivers and travelers. Even as the time marked it would be 2 of the morning. The place seemed ready for whenever a customer would need a recharge before continuing their trip.
Serenity's Truck Stop is a cozy, rustic haven for truck drivers and travelers making their way through the vast forests of Vancouver Island. Situated just off Highway 19, the restaurant is a charming wooden structure that blends seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness. A vintage sign hangs above the entrance, reading "Serenity's Truck Stop" in warm, inviting letters. The parking lot is spacious, accommodating several large trucks and vehicles, with a few picnic tables scattered around for those who prefer to eat outdoors.
Inside, the restaurant exudes a warm, homey atmosphere. The walls are decorated with forest-themed artwork and local crafts, giving it a personal touch. Wooden tables and chairs are arranged neatly, each table adorned with a small vase of fresh wildflowers. A stone fireplace in the corner adds to the cozy ambiance, especially on chilly mornings.
Even later in the night, the movement around the cozy truck stop seemed to be the view of the owner to be a good night of work.
"More coffee Serenity," A client called the attention of the well-mature woman who had been treating every single person with kindness and a good smile. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," The woman who had filled the mug of the truck driver was ready to continue her work when it seemed that all her 5 customers were already eating and preparing for their return across the night for their delivery. And from the possibility that soon would be the end of her shift, and she would enjoy a good time at home with her husband and daughter.
And speaking of them, the chiming bells from the door, showed nobody other than a man dressed in his usual green suit uniform, and a ranger hat, which the customers were already who the person was. Since the man had been working in the forest as a ranger for 2 decades.
"Evening Thorn." One of the truck drivers, said, as the man raised his hand while the others continued their coffee. "Hey, Serenity, I would like a breakfast special."
Thorn watched the owner of the restaurant take a notepad and a pencil while she showed her good smile.
"Hashbrowns or fruit?" Serenity asked gently and Thorn scoffed and knew where this was going.
"Hashbrowns," The customer said in a happy tone, which made Serenity frown and decide to write on her notepad.
"You're having fruit." Serenity replied as she went to make the breakfast which made the customer sulking.
"Awww."The man sulked, as the other customers were chuckling from that interaction.
"It's good for you," Serenity talked as she was being like the mother of the customer, which Thorn couldn't help but chuckle as well. "And what about you dear,"
"Came to finish my shift, and I want to take you home. So just a coffee and a banana bread would be enough." Thorn commented and the woman smiled and gave a kiss on his cheek. "Okay, I will also want an apple."
"That's what I like to hear," Serenity replied as she went to prepare the food for her husband.
.
.
.
An hour had passed, and Serenity closed her truck stop for a clean-up before returning home. Since the usual time of her shifts would be the odd numbers on the calendar, since she is also a responsible mother and wanted to take care of her child, the owner had to give a key to some of her employees which never let her down in case of work shifts. But still, when she does work on her shifts, she always worked from Midnight to 3 a.m. of the next day, being a total of 27 hours per shift.
Since it was to treat the customers and help to take care of their problems. Like her husband who had been in silence for far too long.
"Is there something in your mind, my beloved?" The owner of the truck stop asked as the man took out his hat, revealing on hos distressed he had been in reflection.
"It has come to my mind, that our daughter had been spending a lot of time at home focusing most of her time with the animals," The druid patriarch commented as he could see his wife, giving a nod at him, making him continue his monologue. "From what I could understand, Mother Nature had plans for each of us, I still don't understand what I should do..."
"You have been doing great as a father Thorn, as while I can understand your insecurities about our Dawn, you cannot deny that your buying a television and a computer for Dawn to enjoy her time as a teenager was a good way to let her live her own childhood..." Serenity commented as she smiled at him. "You have been doing your best, but now it's our time to let nature take its course and let Dawn have her own decisions, we can incentive her to have more friends, however, I think the reality show has been what it has dragged her attention, and the desire to have human friends.
"I can see that..." Thorn replied as he touched his beard. But then he couldn't help but have one more request. "I'm just worried about what Mother Nature has planned for her."
"Hmm, so you're suggesting." Serenity smiled, as she could understand from the tone of her husband's voice, which the druid gave a nod at her. "Very well. I'm going to grab my moonlight cards."
"Great, let's hope her future will be good," Thorn commented as it didn't take long until the duo got to the table, and the beauty of the woman of nature he had been in love with for so long went without her apron, and now that both were in synergy and ready to see the future of their beloved daughter. The druid ranger, couldn't help but pray for the future of his daughter being in the hands of Mother Nature.
"5 cards... Past, Present, Future. Three lines of future, Action, Reaction and Inaction. Let the Mother Nature speak for us." Serenity said as she shuffled the cards, and placed them in line 3 cards, and on the last card, Serenity placed one above the card, and another under the card. Making on the table and horizontal T. "Past...The card depicts a solitary owl perched on a branch, surrounded by a moonlit forest. The owl's eyes are wide and watchful, symbolizing wisdom gained through solitude."
"The solitary Owl," Thorn commented as he read the title of the card, which Serenity nodded her head at him.
"Owl signifies the lonely path she has walked, often without the company of true friends. While this solitude has granted her wisdom and a deep connection with nature, it has also left a void in her heart." Serenity commented as both parents nodded their heads in agreement, it was indeed a definition of what was happening to their daughter. "Present. The present card shows a spider weaving a tangled web, with strands extending in every direction. The web appears chaotic, yet intricately connected."
That card alone made both parents have their eyes wide open not just in shock but in cautious fear.
"The Chaotic Spider" Thorn replied as he usually is aware that spiders are related to strings of fate, and depending on the mood of the spider, it could end both good and bad... But when it's chaos...
"The chaotic spider illustrates the present moment. She would stand at the center of a web of possibilities, each strand representing a different path. The strings of fate are pulling her towards an opportunity, but this moment is filled with uncertainty and potential disorder." Serenity commented as she gave a better interpretation of the card, which made now both very hesitant from what would be the consequences of her next actions. "Let's start with the future by inaction, what would happen if our daughter decided to not accept the call of the spider..."
And at the time she flipped the bottom card, Thorn grunted in anger, but also in sadness... because he already could guess what card it was. A lone wolf stands on a snowy peak, howling at the moon. The scene is stark and isolated, with no other creatures in sight.
"The lone wolf, I should have known," Thorn commented as he remembered that card so well... It was one of the cards he got from his own past when he met Serenity for the first time... "If she chooses to do nothing, or if circumstances prevent her from acting, her future would be the mirror of her past. The lone wolf signifies a life of solitude, with only the animals as your companions."
"Very good my dear, you really remembered the interpretation of the card... Now, for the reaction." Serenity gulped as she flipped the top card, which wasn't even much better from the view of the parents. A venomous snake coils around a darkened tree, its eyes glinting with danger. The background is foreboding, suggesting peril and treachery. "The Venomous Snake"
"I know from your look, that isn't looking good," Thorn commented, as the matriarch nodded her head.
"If she decides to wait for too long and not act immediately, she may find herself ensnared in a dangerous and toxic situation. The venomous snake represents the chaotic dangers that await if she hesitates. While she may have a few allies, this path will be fraught with challenges and hardships, far from the harmony she would have desired." Serenity commented as the ranger suck cold breath, and from the look in the eyes of his wife, this one while being better than before, it was still dangerous for her... "And for Action..."
"Please, something good..." Thorn commented as the matriarch decided to flip the last card... And when Thorn saw it... he blinked, but not just once but twice...
Serenity had her mouth dropped as she was still not sure what to say... Because the card she flipped was a half/half card... Which one side was a graceful deer standing in a meadow, surrounded by a herd. The scene is peaceful, with sunlight filtering through the trees, symbolizing harmony and fulfillment. The other side was a lion between lionesses as the king of the jungle seemed powerful and ready to protect his mates, the lionesses seemed to be happy and in harmony with the family they made. "The Harmonious Deer and the Lion's Family Cub."
Both were separated halves and yet they carry the same representation... A big family, but not the way they expected.
.
.
.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME, MOTHER-NATURE?" The birds who were enjoying a good nice sleep, flew away from the nests at the shout of a druid who shouted in extreme disbelief and outrage. And from the silence of the forest being covered in the breeze of night, the druid patriarch wasn't done. "STOP LAUGHING."
(?)
Eva opened her eyes as she once again looked at the ceiling, she was in a hospital room bathed in the soft glow of the morning light filtering through the curtains. The room was spacious yet impersonal, with white walls adorned only by a few nondescript paintings. The faint scent of antiseptic hung in the air, which made Eva grunt annoyed by the smell.
Eva hated hospitals since most of them made her unable to move her body and gave restrictions that she couldn't refuse being against the Doctor's orders... well she could, but she would have to fight the most dangerous creatures that would be able to destroy her whenever they want...
Answer: Her parents...
Both were strong bodybuilders who took pride in their bodies, and strong enough to immobilize her into taking medicine or morphine in case she wanted to fight against the doctor, that was what happened when she broke her leg, and this time when she was being treated with stitches around her torso, thankfully the hook didn't hit an artery, and yet her parents just being there would restrict her from even disobeying the doctor.
The 10 days inside the hospital had been very boring to her, as she couldn't even do any kind of exercise... The worst part, she needed to wait more two weeks to finally get rid of the stitches.
But on the good side, Eva and her parents couldn't complain much, since at the time she was on the show, she managed to win a reward of 20 thousand dollars and a trailer she managed to win in one of the challenges. But having nothing else but television to see, and having her parents come to visit her constantly after their workout regime at the gym... She was getting bored fast.
But her choice was to remain watching the pay-per-view, and even watch from the episode where she saw one of the craziest girls get into a reach of breaking down, and oh boy, she was between feeling pitty about Owen's punishment or laughing until her pass out... If she was there, she would have made Owen suffer so much from doing work out at the point he would cry in fear of seeing her.
But sadly, she couldn't be there anymore, the criminal, unable to move arms and legs, and it's in jail, a place where he deserved to be... The exchange.
Her stay on the game... Eva was very annoyed at the time she got eliminated twice for the same reason as the first. By being too much hurt that she wouldn't be able to continue on the challenge. But at least she could have some entertainment from seeing the new duo appearing as possible bodyguards, and she couldn't help but laugh when she saw Duncan screwing over by provoking the same bear she made a sex exchange.
It had been a very good time to watch television, but she wanted to have a better place to stay, probably on the Playa del Losers, where she could see her friends once again, and enjoy the 5-star resort.
"It seems that you are awake now Eva." A female voice was heard which made Eva glance at the nurse who had treated another contestant of the show, so much that she had another thing to say. "I don't know why you Killer Bass had in mind when it comes to a dangerous situation. Fighting a bear, then going into a cursed island to get cold, then getting into a prank war to develop pneumonia, and then fighting a serial killer. You guys from Total Drama really don't know the limits of your own body."
"Hmm... good morning Claire." The bodybuilder girl commented as she grunted from her bed that she couldn't move. "You don't have to make the same comment every time you cross this room."
"I know, but I think Eva the Unbeatable Iron Woman should need to hear once again how adrenaline couldn't be trusted so much." The nurse commented as Eva rolled her eyes at hearing the name as she couldn't help but feel a bit of pride, in herself. Sure that she hurt a lot. "You got another bag full of fan letters addressing you as such."
"Little girls I guess?" Eva asked and the nurse nodded her head at the bodybuilder.
"What can I say, you made little skinny girls look at you as their hero. I think if you opened a martial arts gym, every girl would want to be part and learn from you how to fight." The nurse commented as the survivor of the horror movie parody episode just glanced around.
"Well, I was thinking about going to the MMA and trying to go for the world title," Eva commented as she would have used the money as an investment for her training.
"Well, with your popularity? You already have a fanbase of girls wanting to be like you." The nurse said as she rolled her eyes at the troublesome contestants, but seeing the teenager who was needing good news, indeed warmed her heart at seeing Eva excited into opening a few letters from the bag... And start reading every single one. With her job done, the nurse Claire was about to leave the room when Eva stopped and decided to ask another question.
"How long do I still have to stay in this room?" Eva asked as the Nurse was about to leave...
"From the doctor's indication and from the call of the producers of the show, you will have to stay here for at least 2 days before being successfully discharged." The nurse replied which was enough for Eva to nod her head, and possibly stay in the hospital for a bit longer.
"It sucked that I couldn't have a say in this, but against my parents. I think there is nothing else I could do." Eva commented as she felt her muscles feeling sore from not doing exercises, and she was so eager to have another training regime for herself... She would want to train her torso and upper body to make sure that she would take stabs without hurting herself. "At least next time when I go to work out, I will see if somebody will be smart enough to try to stab me again."
Eva already took down a bear, and is now a serial killer, what doesn't kill her, makes her stronger.
"Maybe they are right... Maybe I'm an Iron Woman at all." Eva smirked to herself, as she remembered how her friends cared about her...
She missed them...
(?)
"Oh, hey Sky." A voice made the gymnastic asian girl stop placing the books on her locker, and by turning her head, she saw a tanned-skinned blonde guy who was wearing a blue t-shirt with an eagle symbol on it made her surprised.
"Oh, hi Keith, how are you?" Sky commented as the boy smiled at her showing very white teeth, which many girls would have been happy to talk at him.
"I'm doing fine, just wanted to know if you got a partner for the science project we had to give in the final of the semester. And I was wondering if we could..."Keith acted naturally as he tried to convince one of his classmates to become his partner but then a loud sound was heard.
"Sky, did you see the last episode of Total Drama Island?"Then from nowhere, a girl appeared and she pushed the boy away from the Asian girl.
"Oh hi, Erika, nice to see you too," Sky commented as she then looked sheepish at Keith who was surprised by the sudden girl. "Sorry about her Keith, but she has been like that since I told her that I was watching Total Drama Island, and we are already partners on a Science project."
"Ohh," Keith said as he didn't know how to react to seeing a girl already taking the Asian gymnast as a science partner, and he didn't have the right words to say in a moment like that.
"Skyyyy. Hello, earth for Sky." Erika called the attention of the girl who just closed her locker. "Newest episode did you see it?"
"If I saw? My sister recorded the pay-per-view of the whole week. Owen got the worst day of his life."Sky commented as she remembered that her sister and herself had their mouths dropped hard. "Izzy was ruthless, and I was cheering for her victory... But she did say, Condor."
"Do you even blame her?" The girl commented as she walked with her while leaving the boy tilting his head in confusion.
"Not at all, Owen as much as he is a great guy, will be marked forever as a coward bastard for pushing a girl like that. I mean if was me, if I would have survived, I would have beaten him so much and then broken up with him to destroy all his chances." Sky commented as the other girl nodded her head.
"I know, remember on the forum, where there was a user who was a hater or CodyXKatie and HaroldXLeshawna? I saw she was a first fan of this ship but after that episode. The title IzzyXOwen will never happen was proof of how angry the user got with Owen." The girl commented as the duo of girls talked about the show and when Keith was in the corridor alone he couldn't help but ask...
"What just happened?" Keith asked as he could see that on the inside of Sky's locker, there were a few photos of the Killer Bass team and the logo of the Killer Bass as she was showing her support. "No, seriously, what just happened?"
The boy lost his chance, for a girl who would never burps on him...
(?)
"Excuse me, I'm not sure I heard that right Principal Hector." A more mature Asian girl almost in her 30s asked as the principal of her college looked more serious at her.
"The program of your internship had been concluded however from the circumstances around that Company, they are fulfilling an application of bankruptcy, which means the internship and all the employed people would lose their jobs... Which made your internship not concluded." The principal had to clean up her glasses which the Asian girl couldn't believe she was hearing.
"So what's going to happen? I worked 2 years for that company, and they didn't even dare to call me and tell me what's going on?" Jane said as she was with conflicted feelings, she wasn't sure if she was furious on the verge of destroying anything, or so sad that she would break down crying.
"If you read the newspaper on the third page, you will understand." The principal replied and Jane took a slight glance and by the next second, she looked palled and horrified with the view. "Despair is a very dangerous feeling young lady, especially when it's related to money, when they lose it, nobody knows what can happen next."
Jane remained quiet as the principal decided to walk towards the older sister...
"I know that you have been taking care of your younger sister, and you have been doing your best to pay rent for your parents and even enjoy your hobbies." The principal said as the woman remained quiet. "So that's why I'm going to give you a temporary job, helping to organize my office, but I deeply recommend that you try job application. I can only maintain you legally working on this office for a few weeks."
"Thank you so much for your help Principal Hector," Jane said as she started crying and even hugged the old principal who seemed happy to help someone.
"It's the only thing I could do for a good student of this university, but I hope you find a better job while you work here." The principal commented that Jane now had a new journey that she should cross. Trying to find a new job before her sister realizes that she lost her former internship.
(Playa Del Losers)
The cozy lounge room at Playa Des Losers was a hub of activity. The walls, adorned with vibrant beach-themed artwork, contrasted with the plush, oversized furniture that filled the space. A large window let in streams of golden sunlight, casting a warm glow over the room's occupants. The faint sound of ocean waves crashing against the shore could be heard in the background, adding to the relaxed ambiance.
Ezekiel sat in the center of the room, an improvised barber's cape made by a table towel was draped around him, while Harold hovered over him with a pair of scissors. The sound of snaps could be heard as Ezekiel had no place into looking, than the actual view.
"I don't know why I'm always dragged into strange situations like that. Who was the one who gave the idea?" Ezekiel asked as Sadie and Katie were reading a magazine, Geoff was kissing Bridgette, Tyler was playing with his yoyo and Courtney was filling her nails.
"Well, I just think you have been using your winter hat way too much Ezekiel. So maybe a new look would give you more self steam" Courtney commented as the boy raised his eyebrow at the C.I.T. girl who looked once more on the responsible role of the group.
"What do you mean more self steam?" Ezekiel asked as he tried to move his head but Harold corrected it.
"Please don't move, I'm trying to not make a mistake here," Harold commented as Ezekiel could hear Katie and Sadie giggling.
"Anyway, I mean, recently I just found out that you always wear the same blouse and winter hat, so maybe you should have more variance around your style," Courtney commented as Ezekiel looked weird.
"What do you mean about that? Everyone here always wears the same clothes." Ezekiel pointed out, however Courtney was ahead of him.
"Actually we have more than a pair of clothing of the same style and color." Courtney corrected as Ezekiel raised his hand to stop Harold.
"Wait. Hold on, you mean you all always wear the same style of clothing around the whole show?" Ezekiel asked loudly as he thought like any cartoon show, they always would have used the same clothes all the time, just changing from pajamas and underwear.
"Pretty much, it's always a good way to have a spare," Geoff commented, as Harold nodded his head, and even Tyler shrugged.
"I always have the same jacket. I just clean up it before sleeping." Tyler gave the explanation which made Ezekiel stare at his friends like they were a bunch of crazy people.
"You know what? Nevermind. This winter hat isn't the same one I bought on the show. This one is made by my mom." Ezekiel pointed out as Courtney had to bite her tongue from that one. "And okay, I see your point, that I maybe need a new wardrobe, but now you all told me, it seems I'm not the only one."
And that comment caused the reaction he wanted.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?" Every single one of his friends said in a shout which made the homeschooled boy have a moral high ground.
"Come on. I thought you all were doing the same as I did. Imagine the people who watched on the television. Don't you think they would think the same?"Ezekiel commented as every single one of his friends realized the meaning of his words. And it has been fun to see Katie and Sadie palling in shock, Courtney and Bridgette freeze, and then realize that Ezekiel wasn't wrong. "Oh, it's going to be fun to see people asking why am I the only one on the show who was thinking about buying clothes."
"Okay, when the show is over. We need new clothes quickly." Katie said to Sadie who nodded in agreement.
"Okay, you have a point. But thankfully when this show is over we can return back to our lives." Courtney commented as she then glanced around the others, which made them realize that in a few weeks, things would come to an end.
"That if there would be a winner on the show. Because do you guys remember what would happen if nobody wins in the end?" Ezekiel then made the question which brought the attention and the fear of their faces once again.
"Then we would return to another season? I don't know if I could keep up with that." Harold commented as he continued to cut the brown hair of his friend. "I have to finish another year of school."
"Me too, I have an election to win as president of the student council," Courtney asked worried, as she never thought about the possibility of another season. "Even as they said my grades would be enough for me to graduate. I think that would be good for my curriculum."
"Well, let's just hope we would have a winner on this season," Ezekiel commented he felt pity for his friends, so young, and yet they didn't know the rabbit hole they got themselves into.
"Well let's hope. Hey Harold, are you done?" Sadie commented which made the nerd raise his hand to stop her.
"YOU CAN'T RUSH, ART," Harold commented as he continued to cut the hair...
"Err...guys? A little help here." Tyler commented as he made the strings of his yoyo once again tied him up in a position where he was on the floor.
Everyone rolled their eyes, as Courtney glanced at the couple who were kissing each other.
"Are you both still kissing?" Courtney asked, which tone made both blondes open their eyes and break apart before seeing that in her hands was indeed the devilish water bottle spray made by the homeschooled devil. "Wow, you two can breathe. Thank God."
The group laughed at the surfer and the party boy who seemed to be blushing in shame but also annoyed by the people who were holding those cursed anti-horny spray.
"We have self-control," Bridgette commented and for the first time, Ezekiel was the one who laughed the loudest.
"Bridgette, no offense. But you two would be LITERALLY the couple who would be voted out for being kissing too much on the show."Ezekiel jokes by telling the future. Which made the others chuckle.
"Oh yeah, and how can you be sure?" Geoff asked with his eyebrow raised.
Ezekiel smirked and coughed.
"Campers, welcome to the firecamp ceremony." Ezekiel tried to give his best impression of Chris as the group already guessed what was happening. "Tonight we are going to have a special elimination, two campers will be voted out Tonight, which you will..."
"GEOFF AND BRIDGETT," The remaining killer bass said in unison which made the blonde couple stare at them in disbelief.
"You heard the chorus, Geoff, Bridgette, Dock of Shame, both of you," Ezekiel commented as the group laughed at the couple who blushed in disbelief.
"You guys sucked, did you know that?" Geoff commented annoyed, which made Courtney and Ezekiel smile innocently at them.
The group chuckled as the comfortable silence went around the group of friends. And Bridgette and Courtney walked to see around the person who was having the haircut.
"Wow Ezekiel, your hair is looking amazing," Bridgette commented as the C.I.T. had to nod.
"I had to give that to you Harold, his hair made him look more like a person."Courtney complimented the nerd for showing another of his skills. Ezekiel had a look of offended from the girl and she decided to change the subject. "Anyway, Ezekiel. I got curious about one thing."
"Yes?" Ezekiel decided to ignore the last comment since it was Courtney, but something inside of him kinda had a guess on where she was going with everything.
"I heard about the pact you all made with the boys..." Courtney didn't even tell much and Ezekiel already groaned.
"TYLER, SERIOUSLY?" Ezekiel shouted as surprised everyone in the room, especially the boys who didn't imagine he had figured out the culprit.
"HEY, It wasn't me." Tyler tried to defend but then realized both Harold and Geoff staring at him. "Okay, it was also me, but I didn't bring things up. It was Sadie."
Ezekiel gave a slight glance with the eyes which made the bulky chubby twin gulp and smile nervously at him.
"Okay, Sadie brought it up, and then you girls forced Tyler to spill the beans?" Ezekiel deduced but from the nervous smile..."He didn't even last a second right?"
"I just touched him," Courtney said which made Ezekiel give an exasperated sigh.
"I should have known... Next time I will keep that in mind." Ezekiel said as he looked annoyed from forgetting one single fact. Tyler is terrible at holding secrets when he feels guilty of being a buster. World Tour was proof of that."Okay, it seems now I can understand you want to know more about why I created the pact?"
"Not really, from what the others had told me, it made sense that you wanted to focus on the friendship instead of the sabotage among our team," Courtney explained as Bridgette walked beside him. "We didn't realize that scene until we had to check up the Dodgebrawl episode all over again. And we got a view of how you think of yourself."
"I mean, we are glad that you have hopes in Beth finding a good boyfriend and you finding someone, we are just curious about your preferences for girls..." Bridgett commented as Ezekiel glanced at his friends, and Geoff and Tyler were whistling and looking away. Harold had a good excuse since he was cutting his hair.
"Please don't tell me you have the same thoughts as Duncan?" Ezekiel asked which made both girls raise her hands.
"Oh no," Both said in unison. "We believe you."
"Good, because what I couldn't stand is that people would only think that I need to be with Beth just because we are farmers or ugly people," Ezekiel commented as he saw the group staring weirdly at him. "Because I know that I'm not a Justin which just for his appearance would make every single girl be like crazy. And don't lie to me, you all were gapping with your mouths drooling into seeing him for the first time."
And from that accusation, every girl blushed sheepishly, as Geoff raised his eyebrow at his girlfriend.
"Okay, but you aren't ugly Ezekiel," Katie commented as she tried to cheer up his friend. "You just need a remake of yourself, like a new clothing, a new haircut, and be like yourself."
"Yeah, I know that you would attract any kind of girl if you want by being yourself. You just need more self-reflection and more optimism." Courtney commented as the boy rolled his eyes.
"Girls, I get it. I know that, and I'm grateful for your help... I really do," Ezekiel said as he tried to remain calm and happy from all the concern his friends had over him, but there was a truth that he would always know. "But I think it's a thing that I won't ever be sure because I just don't know. I don't know if I will fall in love with a girl that's how I said I think it would be an ideal girl for me, I don't know if the girl would love me the same way, I don't know if I would be used, I don't know if would be real... the only way I could control the romance was only the books I create to rely on, and I don't even know on who to trust in such topics... I just don't know."
The group remained quiet, as the sound of scissors suddenly stopped.
"It's done," Harold said as he took a mirror to show Ezekiel the reflection of his face... And to the surprise of the homeschooled boy, it had been the first time he saw himself without his winter head, hiding the usual long hair he had over the red-neck style of hair. And instead, the hair he had was far shorter, and yet in a wild style... But from the tone of brown, and from the way he looked at the mirror...
And a little song placed inside of his memories... Over a childhood cartoon that also created such an impact around the generations of watchers over television...
It started when an alien device did what it did
And stuck itself upon his wrist with secrets that it hid
Now he's got super powers, he's no ordinary kid
"He's Ben 10," Ezekiel whispered as he felt himself staring at his face showing what would be himself with the most iconic 10-year superhero over Cartoon Network... Benjamin Tennyson hairstyle.
"What did you say?' Courtney asked since Ezekiel whispered something that they could hear. And the homeschooled boy shook his head.
"I said 10 of 10," Ezekiel commented as he didn't believe the reflection he was seeing, the messed wild hair, but from the same color and almost the same shape... Ezekiel never thought he would be looking at the mirror, one iconic Cartoon Network Memory. "Harold, this by far, is one of the best works I ever seen."
"Thank you, Zeke, now I just need to find a good name for the hair..."
"Benjamin Tennyson ." Ezekiel immediately commented which made the nerd pause and glance at the boy inquiring about the reason for the name. "This hairstyle just gave me inspiration to write another book."
"WHAT? ALREADY?" The group shouted in surprise as the homeschooled boy smirked under his smile.
"Yes, this time I plan to focus on a superhero theme," Ezekiel commented as the group glanced at him in surprise. "I have a few ideas and I want to hear your opinion about it... It's a 10-year-old boy, who just found a wishing star, but to his surprise wasn't a star, but a sphere which contain a watch..."
Little did they know that Ezekiel now had in mind to revive another show that never existed in the first place.
"Wow, it seems that I still got it," Ezekiel said to himself as he drew a few arts of the 10-year-old boy who just was using an alien watch to transform himself into multiple versions of Alien. "Okay, I need to select which of them would be good, I know that probably I will be destroying the original plot of the first generation, but I have to confess that taking out Ripjaws on the book would be annoying, but mostly of the episodes he was in were just fillers, and being the only aquatic alien which ability would just use jaws was a bit terrible... Water Hazard on the other hand. Would be the best aquatic alien Ben would need at that time."
Ezekiel contemplated the drawing he just finished... An art of the OG Ben on the left, the Alien Force Ben in the Middle, and the omni verse Ben but following the same trace of Alien Force, that way the trilogy of Ben 10 would be done correctly as the way he imagined...
"They looked so cool. But now I need to think about it... there are the OG, the Alien Force, the Ultimate Alien, The Omniverse, and the God's forbid... the reboot..." Ezekiel commented as he stared at the thought alone of how a show became one of the most iconic shows of Cartoon Network for so many years. "And I haven't watched every single episode of the show like I did with the others... but from all the fanfics I read and from what I remembered watching more the plot than the filler episodes... I think If I create a one-shot book for each Generation, I think it would be enough to revive Ben 10 as a whole... Because if I could, I would rewrite many things from the old characters, especially the Ben 10.000 wife that it was bullcrap..."
Ezekiel wondered as he looked at the typewriter... And from all the work he did, from Courage the Cowardly Dog, Adventure TIme... and the last remaining chapters of Steven Universe's first book...
"I think creating one shot would be good enough to resume the good era of some shows... But I'm going to focus on all the seasons of the cartoons I know most..." Ezekiel said as he took a sip of coffee, but the terrible taste made him gulp strangely. "Ugh... from all the good things of this resort. The coffee on the other hand... I think I preferred the ones from the Wawanakwa camp..."
Ezekiel sighed, since it had been a long time he wanted to drink a very good cup of coffee...
"In times like this, I wondered why ma and pa didn't make a coffee farm," Ezekiel commented as he resumed giving a try to one single project. But while he was in his bedroom, and he was eager to have some work done... For at least the prologue of the first new book... He would be at least able to finish something before turning on the television to watch the next episode of the show.
"You gotta be kidding me," Noah said, his voice tinged with annoyance as he examined the unexpected stack of papers in his hands. Meanwhile, Ezekiel floated contentedly in the resort's swimming pool, relishing the warm water and the relaxing atmosphere. After weeks of being too ill to enjoy the amenities due to pneumonia, he was finally able to indulge in the simple pleasures of the resort: eating ice cream, swimming, and soaking in the hot tub.
While the bookworm was trying to see if he was seeing a prank by looking at the new amount of papers which turned out to be the first chapter of a new book Ezekiel was ready to write.
"Yeah, no. I got this idea while Harold gave me my haircut," Ezekiel explained, grinning. Noah rolled his eyes and facepalmed.
"Yes, I can see it." The bookworm said dryly as he never thought to see someone who had been most of the time not just on the show, but also in his bedroom focusing on nothing but writing. "Are you sure you aren't a machine?"
"I don't know. On the farm, we didn't have much technology, and we definitely aren't in some futuristic world with artificial intelligence doing everything."Ezekiel chuckled as he noticed Noah rubbing his temples. "And I kinda agree with you. I'm planning to write more after I finish my break. Steven Universe will be the last book I will publish before I do my break."
"I have no idea what you have in your mind, but I don't know what kind of target audience you have in mind?" Noah mused as Ezekiel smiled at him.
Kids who will grow up with these books as part of their childhood," Ezekiel replied, a nostalgic smile on his face. As that was one of the reasons why he loved so much the cartoon network shows, and they had a huge fanbase during eons..."When they become adults, they'll look back fondly and read them again for nostalgia, and this would be part of them passing by for other generations."
Noah fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fair enough. I'll give it a read, and later we can discuss the grammar. At least with you around, I won't have to read the same books over and over again. That's something new."
"CANON BALL!" Izzy's voice rang out as she leaped into the pool, creating a massive splash. Noah quickly grabbed an umbrella to shield Ezekiel's manuscript from the spray.
"That was awesome! I jumped from the 4-floor, and I have to say the adrenaline rush was fantastic. Hey boys how are you?" Izzy exclaimed, grinning widely.
"Izzy, what did I tell you about jumping on the pool while we are in the middle of work?" Noah said as the ginger girl tilted her head.
"I thought you both finished editing Adventure Time," Izzy commented as she was sure the bookworm was relieved from having a break from editing manuscripts.
"We did, but this person whose I refuse to tell the name, couldn't keep his hands off his typewriter for so long and decided to start a new book." Noah pointed at Ezekiel who was enjoying being underwater and just got out with joy, which made Noah roll his eyes.
"Everybody is a critic. Even my editor," Ezekiel commented as Izzy then had her eyes wide open from seeing Ezekiel without his usual winter hat, and now that he was still wearing his weights over his wrists and legs, she just found out that his abdomen lost the extra weight and he was now slim and an inch higher than the time she left the island. "Can you believe him?"
"Pff, yeah," Izzy said forced as she snaped herself from her thoughts, and even gave a nervous laugh which made Noah roll his eyes.
"Whatever, I'm going to take a look at this and see if you indeed found another reason to keep writing, or if you are just bored into doing other things. I mean, I can understand that your routine is only writing and doing... whatever you two do." Noah scoffed as he gave a glance a look on the manuscript which was enough to make Ezekiel and Izzy be free from whatever Noah was planning to do in the future.
"Hey guys, wow Ezekiel, you got a haircut?" Beth came out from the resort and decided to join the group since she was wearing her wine color swimsuit covering her body, and she was amazed to see one of the groups suddenly differently than before. "Who did your haircut?"
"Oh, it was Harold. My friends told me, I would need a change of hairstyle and maybe a few new clothes, which has been hilarious since most of them had many of the same style and color of the clothing." Ezekiel commented which made Beth tilts her head in surprise.
"They do? I thought they always wore the same clothing as I do." Beth commented that Noah stopped his reading and raised his eyebrow at her. But was caught by surprise when both Ezekiel and Izzy shouted in unison.
"THANK YOU. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE." Both Ezekiel and Izzy shouted in unison as the farmer girl blinked from the interaction. And on that time, Ezekiel and Izzy noticed they had said at the same time. "JINX,"
And now with that moment, both suddenly stopped talking, which was the time Noah smiled, while Beth was about to say something.
"Oh no, don't say anything. Jinx is the best moment of silence that I can have right now." Noah smirked as the duo glared at him angrily.
"Okay? Anyway, I gotta say your new hair was amazing. I think I should ask Harold to check my hair." Beth commented as she saw Izzy saluting and then waving goodbye, while Ezekiel rolled his eyes, but waved at the farm girl who just left the trio alone. And with Beth walking away, she could see Izzy and Ezekiel almost like they were best friends. "Hmm... I think maybe Bridgette is exaggerating. I mean, they look great together, but as a couple? Maybe she is right, but I think a chance of that just happening is the same way I get a beautiful boyfriend."
Beth remembered how watching the episode and Ezekiel saying that both of them were ugly, and she had to admit that had been a hurtful truth for her. But at the same time, she couldn't help but be emotional about Ezekiel having faith in both of them, he sounded so sure that she would find someone that it would shut up everyone. And that made her hopeful. She always believed in the way of her heart, and from the time she heard Duncan's comment she wanted to kick his ass, but she was glad that he apologized.
"Yeah, maybe someday I will find someone," Beth said as she went after Harold since he was already having a long day cutting hair from Katie and Sadie, and even doing a little treatment on both Courtney and Bridgette, hair.
In times like that, he now understands why Ezekiel and the boys wanted him to don't brag about his skills, remaining low key, since these abilities showed not just to be a blessing, but also a curse, now that he had to treat every girl on the Playa Del Losers.
A few hours later:
"I hate you," Noah said as he gave the manuscript to the startled Ezekiel who was playing volleyball in the pool with Izzy. In the next hour Leshawna broke the jinx from both Ezekiel and Izzy, the duo had been enjoying a good time in the pool. "How do you do it?"
"Do what?" Ezekiel asked as he raised his eyebrows, with the idea that he probably had an idea of what Noah had been asking him.
"Each book you are writing it's different from the other, I have no idea that you could write so many different styles of books," Noah said as he couldn't believe his eyes as he was looking at the prologue of the book. "This one had nothing to do with the other works you gave me, and yet it is so unique that I could anyone who is a fan of superheroes be interested in that. Hell, you made me interested in where the hell this watch Omnitrix came from, and what these 10 aliens could do."
"Ohhhhhh, it's about superheroes and aliens?" Izzy asked as she took the hand of the manuscript she was already bored from playing volley and she needed something to distract her mind before the episode aired. "Let me take a look, I want to see if they are like the aliens who kidnapped me before."
"You were kidnapped by aliens?" Leshawna who was there looked at the girl in disbelief as she had lost her mind.
"Actually that answers a lot of questions." Both Ezekiel and Noah said in unison which Ezekiel surprised Noah. "Jinx. Got you now."
Noah deadpanned as Izzy laughed and was going to use that opportunity to disturb the egghead bookworm before the show started. Leshawna looked at the trio, as she then blinked...
"Okay, that's it, I think the trio lost their minds," Leshawna said as she got up from her place and walked away. "Better to walk away, because that could be contagious."
Ezekiel and Izzy rolled their eyes, and even Noah did the same from the ghetto girl who had to give the final word, sometimes Leshawna is a cool girl, but sometimes she just needs to relax, and not be scared of everything weird around her.
"Anyway, I heard from you the others want to buy new clothes with you," Izzy commented and Ezekiel nodded his head. "Well, maybe you could order a stylish to make a custom set of new clothes for you. All you need to do is describe the type of clothing you would want and the size you are using, and pay for them in check or use an accountant to pay for you."
"Well, I don't know, I never went to buy clothes for myself, and your idea sounds tempting, but I don't know how much that would even cost," Ezekiel commented Noah was listening to the conversation in silence but also paying the attention.
"Well, you could use the money of the editors who decided to give you in advance before publishing Courage the Cowardly Dog book. I'm sure that with that it could be a start. From this show, you have to say from your book alone you already could raise good money even after not winning the 100 thousand prize." Izzy commented as she started to read the manuscript, and with both Ezekiel wondering.
"Well, that's not a bad idea. I think I could draw something for me to wear based on my work." Ezekiel looked at his reflection in the water, and then he realized something he hadn't seen before. "Wait, did I just lose weight?"
"Well, I wonder too," Izzy commented as she side glanced at Ezekiel who was staring at the reflection and touching his belly as if he had lost the oval shape from the original version of the show.
"Huh, neat... I don't know if this is good or bad, but whatever." Ezekiel commented as he could see that somehow the training Eva had suggested him to do had made a good difference in his life, but how much it would change? Just the future would tell. "Anyway, later you can tell me what you think Izzy."
"I will do," Izzy commented as she was ready to continue to read a new world prepared for her own imagination, made by a person that she never thought she would respect so much for not daring to refuse to use his imagination, in contrary, loved to live on his world and shape it around any way he wanted, and craving a mark of his own story.
It had been a good hour for her to read the chapter, and then grab him by his shoulders and demand more chapters from it... What she can say... She now was addicted to a new type of superhero... A child who had the powers that could be and meet with the most iconic heroes of DC comics and old movies? Yeah, she would want to read a whole book of it.
That's his cross of being a writer... writing an idea so well and now having the responsibility to write everything for the entertainment of the public...
It was the longest 3 hours of Ezekiel's life, and thankfully it was the time for them to watch the new episode.
