Ticket here, and welcome back to Second Chance! After a couple close tiebreakers in the last episode, we move on to the next one. There's the aftermath of the last Tribal, plus these castaways get a sweet treat, which may turn sour because of certain…personalities.

So sit back, strain your eyes, and get a load of this!

EPISODE SEVEN: THE BIGGEST LOATHER

NuLoabi: Chun-Li, Cyrax, Diana, Gordon, Little Mac, Li Mei, and Sackboy

NuHathuru: Metal Sonic, Princess Peach, T'Challa, Slade, and Sektor

Twelve are left. Who will be voted out next?

Hathuru

Night 17

After the duel last night, the five remaining Hathuru get back to camp. If their last runs weren't exhausting enough, they've been through three world wars with all they've been through. Kano's freak out, Zelda and Metal's little war, and the tiebreaker.

Even a SCRAP between T'Challa and Sektor.

Even with that out of the way, there is more to come. Everyone pretends to be cordial around the campfire, but eventually split off. First, Wakanda's King and the biggest menace the Teen Titans ever fought.

Before T'Challa even speaks, Slade crosses his arms. "Looks like you don't have a choice."

"You and your attitude." T'Challa musters, trying to hide his disappointment.

"I have to put in extra hours because of you. If we don't merge, I'll do everything I can." Slade offers the handshake. "There's no guarantee you make it out of this."

T'Challa returns it. "When has that stopped me?"

"That's not a good thing."

"You would be surprised."

Slade raises a brow beneath the mask. "Don't think I want to be."

T'Challa: Slade's attitude is straining. I could bury him if I wanted to. But I'm not going scorched earth unless I have to. There will be no blackmail.

He pauses to think.

T'Challa: MAY NOT be blackmail. This is not for the faint of heart.

After they split away, it takes Slade only twenty seconds to run into Metal. Slade doesn't flinch, as Metal is known for his "surprise" appearances. "We got Ripley. Who's next?"

"We could finish off Peach. But let's say that production pulls another trick on us. Cutting T'Challa could do us wonders for strength." Metal explains, looking deeply into his mask. His little red eyes pinch a little. "You would not have any issues…right?"

Slade's eyes clinch together as well. "Are you questioning my commitment?"

"Why were you shaking hands with the Panther?"

There it is. Slade, with his cunning, tries to match up. "I kept him comfortable. We have the numbers, but he can always pull out a new advantage."

Metal just looks blank. "Of course. Your personalities wouldn't really mesh. But you are smart enough to see the opportunity in front of us. Cutting a challenge threat early is too good to pass up."

Slade lets out a fake snicker. "Peach is a curse herself."

"I'll deem her a non-threat." Metal and his insults. He's lucky he doesn't drop the mask more often. But everyone probably knows he has one on.

"I WAS THERE. After all the reminders, you want to tell me she's not a threat. Maybe not at a finale, but if she has room to thrive, she will take out our entire alliance." Slade pressures, gassing a Princess up to protect his secret ally.

Slade: Peach's warpath was entertaining. As a juror it was funny watching this innocent girl run on pure spite. But don't forget that I was one of her victims. She didn't. Never does. Keeping Peach in this game allows her to wipe out our entire alliance. AGAIN. As smart as Metal claims he is, his arrogance is his achilles heel.

Slade pulls a silver, metal scrap from the sand.

Slade: Someone's shedding.

Despite all of Slade's arguments, Metal doesn't seem receptive to anything. "We can discuss when you get your..rest."

"You say that like it's weird. I'm not immortal."

"So the stories are fake…" Metal jabs. "It's a shame. We could assault so many teenagers together. Ha. Ha. Ha.."

"..was that a joke?"

"A try."

Slade sighs. "Work on your humor."

Cut to a new confessional. Metals there and some of his paint is starting to come off. What stress does to someone.

Metal Sonic: Have I evolved? Can I even be killed? It seems as if a higher being wants me here. That higher being..IS ME.

A scratchy, monotone laugh comes out. Looks like someone finally learned.

Metal Sonic: I anticipate the next vote. Then I can REALLY infuriate people because let's face it: I'll be the target.

There is a collision brewing on Loabi, but if Metal believes he's the main character, he'll manifest it.

The Beach

"COME ON IN!"

Surely there couldn't be a challenge this soon, right? Well, surely those speculators are wrong. As the tribes head in, there is no obstacle course. No buoys. No puzzles. Just Jeff standing there with all the Botox.

Loabi also gets a look at a Ripley-less Hathuru. Some people try guessing in their minds..

Cyrax: It's no coincidence that Peach has lost her allies yet again. There are plenty of faults in that tribe. I'm not a fan of exploiting others, but I'll make the exception.

They stand side by side, as Jeff gets ready to ramble on. "Day eighteen out here, and I bet all of you have learned something new about each other. Whether it's personalities, character, gameplay, or all of the above. But it's like the saying goes: the more things change, the more they stay the same."

Sackboy's eyes pop.

"DROP YOUR BUFFS, we are merging again!"

Buffs get slammed down into the sand, the people who actually want to be there cheer, and yet: a couple don't seem excited at all. They just stonewall the whole thing. Sektor knows who he is.

Cut to confessional…

Sektor: No tribe can keep us apart. I will have his head.

Of course he's staring daggers at Cyrax, who tries not to pay him any attention. He's chatting with T'Challa. "I'm grateful you got a hold of Vibranium first. If someone beat you there.."

"Let's be glad they didn't."

"I am, that's why I said I was grateful." Cyrax explains, missing the little quip. His little green eye does move slightly towards Sektor's.

Cyrax: I will never get a day of peace again. But I can rest well knowing one thing: as long as Sektor remains, he will bury himself. The second I leave the merge feast, he will slander me, but the joke is on him: no one will believe a word.

Meanwhile, Gordon's looking down at Metal Sonic, pretty puzzled. "You're a lot shorter than I thought." he admits. "Editors messed with us."

"Size does not matter."

"Depends on who you're with." Gordon jokes, getting absolutely nothing from the machine. "That was a joke, mate."

Metal forces out a laugh, that sounds so fake he gets sideyes from half the cast. "Your humor is truly advanced."

"..yeah it sure is." Gordon says, almost putting a question mark at the end.

Gordon: See his eyes? He wants to serve me bare-ass on a platter. As much of a drag Infinite was, he didn't fake it that badly.

Cut to another confession..

Metal Sonic: Pelvis jokes are amateur. Only the mindless would find any humor in it.

Merge Feast!

ALL THE FIXINS' are provided for these two-timers. Even though merge has come early, pre-merge has felt like a Millenial for some of them. Others have had a much easier ride. Now is the time easy rides end. Coasters, boasters, and floaters, beware.

Some of them are already on guard.

Diana: I'm not sitting back anymore. Every merge, they go for challenge threats. But I'm not leaving myself open.

Clips of T'Challa talking to Gordon, as well as Mac and Mei sitting together are shown.

Diana: I'm going to bring T'Challa back in. We may tear each other apart later, but for now I need all the cover I can get.

As the feast goes on, Cyrax coughs. A little oil spills from his neck, putting a disgusted look on Gordon's face. "Everything ok over there?"

"I need an oil change…"

Cyrax excuses himself, leaving the shack behind to fix himself. The second he leaves their view, Gordon wipes his mouth with a napkin. "Wonder what that was.."

"Idiocy." There goes Sektor. "

"You've got a..BIG problem." Gordon admits. "He's moved on from the Cyber Li Kang, you can to."

"CYBER LIN KUEI." Sektor corrects. Gordon sarcastically puts his hands up. "Do not mock me, Ramsay. I am a dangerous force."

That line gets a scoff from Gordon. "You're really ruffling my feathers."

"RUSTLING."

"OK KNOW IT ALL." Gordon snaps, setting an elbow on the table. "Let's get this across: nobody likes an asshole. You always get in your own way because you CAN'T RESIST being one! That's why Cyrax left you."

"He made the choice himself. Stop making him out to be the victim."

"No.." Diana chimes in. "He WAS the victim. If you keep prodding at someone, they're going to bite back."

As she chimes In, she gets a new confessional.

Diana: Sektor is the most insecure man I've ever met. How can you have all this power, this knowledge, and that body..and STILL complain? Cyrax broke free, AS HE SHOULD, and Sektor can't stand that he doesn't support his sad cause.

Back to the argument, and Sektor's directed his fury towards HER now. "Of course you'll defend. Physical threats love backing their own."

"I'm defending him because you are a control freak. If he doesn't like your cause, he doesn't have to stay there." Diana drills in, but she's unable to get through to someone so high on their ideals. Sektor just turns away from her.

"Have it your way…Earthrealmer."

Li Mei just shakes her head at this whole argument. "So derogatory.." she whispers.

"You weren't kidding.." Mac whispers back.

Mei and Mac share a confessional together.

Li Mei: When I said he was conceited, I wasn't exaggerating.

Little Mac: Yeah..I already wanna knock him out.

Li Mei: Patience. Wait for him to challenge you. He always does.

End of that…

Chun-Li and Sackboy decide to jump in, for Cyrax's defense. "For a machine that's supposed to be advanced, you still can't see a simple mistake." Chun burns. "Cyrax is not the villain you believe he is."

"Yeah! He's actually really nice…you just use him." Sackboy adds.

"He was like a brother to me." Sektor admits.

"You say he was a brother to you, but you don't treat him like one." Chun recalls. "You don't know as much as you think."

During that whole argument…it turns out Cyrax hit the woods, looped back around, and is standing right behind the little shack. He looks into the camera and shakes his head.

His confessional is shot in the woods behind the feast.

Cyrax: I did not require an oil change.

He reveals a little blade he picked up.

Cyrax: I wanted to see what they thought while I was gone. I will heal. Sektor won't. It's what he gets for being toxic.

To end the clamoring, Sackboy grabs a spoon and taps his glass. The little dings get everyone's attention. "What are you calling for, small sack?" Sektor asks.

"Can we just get along?"

Sektor just stares. "I'm stunned. Not because your words are powerful. But because you are a fool."

Li is ready to stand up for her ally, but Cyrax walks right back in. Sektor scoffs. "An unwelcome back.." Sackboy sighs at the jab, and gets his first confessional of the episode.

Sackboy: I really don't like Sektor. REALLY don't like him. Why does he have to be so mean? You don't have to be mean to win :(

Don't tell him about the lore…

Eventually, the feast comes to an end and everyone files out. All except for Sektor, who decides to stay behind. He's deliberately walking SO slow, that a few on his cast turn around.

"Leg trouble?" Slade asks.

"Rust buildup." Sektor lies. Slade looks like nothing just happened, and leaves anyway. With nobody staying behind to check on the cyborg, he gets a hand under the table and starts feeling around.

"Where is this minuscule note?"

At the last merge feast he went to, Sektor was able to find his immunity idol. An idol that would later be used against him by someone he thought he could call a brother. Unfortunately for Sektor, he didn't treat him like one. In an effort to find personal redemption, he feels…

.

.

.

Nothing. He gets his head down there, and finds a golden hand snatching an idol, wrapped up at the OTHER END of the table! Sektor looks up..

Cyrax clasps his new immunity idol. He's looking that villain dead in his eyes. "Same tricks."

Sektor points at him. "YOU…YOU.."

"Rat me out if you want. With how badly you're tanking yourself, who will trust you?" Cyrax asks, basking in the moment for once. Before Sektor can reply, Cyrax pockets the idol in his chest compartment, and runs to catch up with the group…leaving Sektor all alone.

In Sektor's confessional..he's dented a tree in rage.

Sektor: At EVERY turn, he humiliates me. It's about time I return the favor! Let's see how you like it when I spill your secrets..

Cut to Cyrax's confessional, where he has the idol.

Cyrax: Ratting my idol won't decimate my game. Just forces me to use this early.

Back to Sektor's…

Sektor: I want to rip the advantage from him as quickly as possible. He will NEVER hold an idol as long as I'm here!

Back to Cyrax..

Cyrax: I can find more idols.

Back to Sektor..

Sektor: He won't! If I am a Cyrax loather, I will be the BIGGEST!

Loabi Beach

Merged Tribe

Day 18

Black Panther (T'Challa), Cyrax, Chun-Li, Gordon, Li Mei, Little Mac, Metal Sonic, Princess Peach, Sackboy, Sektor, Slade, and Wonder Woman (Diana)

The top twelve enter the Loabi's part of camp, which definitely seems to have more resources. There's oddly enough more organization in general. Pretty crazy considering how things started. Those who haven't heard the tales of pre-swap Loabi, are about to.

Sektor, Metal Sonic, Slade, T'Challa, and Peach sit down like kids listening in on story time. With a very english narrator.

"I don't know if that c*nt gave you the full story, but he chopped out shelter down just to do it." Gordon explains. "I caught him going for the fire too. We've all f*cked up out here, but this is common sense. How did he even pass the evaluation?"

Peach shakes her head. "Do they even have one?"

"You can pass the evaluation and make dumb calls." Slade adds. "He knew what he was doing. There's levels to being a dick."

"EXACTLY." Gordon agrees. Before he rants on, he pauses. "Huh."

"What's on your mind, Ramsay?"

Gordon points a finger at Slade. "After watching your season i thought you'd be a total dick."

That one gets a chuckle from Slade. "I've been trying to mellow out. Can't do it completely. That's what happens when you choose my life."

The chef does a little shrug. "Bet it's still better than customer service."

"Depends on the day."

Free Slade confessional.

Slade: Operation "Chill The Hell Out" is still going. This has…made my game easier. Relaxing is foreign to me. When you're in my game, you can't relax. Have to be alert. As annoying as you are Deadpool, you've got your wish.

Sooner or later, the initial welcoming has to end. Diana takes initiative and leads Mac and Mei into the woods. Why is she doing this? Diana explains in another confessional.

Diana: When I said cover, I meant more than just five. I want everyone in the five to have some trust with me. Use me as a weapon against other challenge threats. I can't avoid the heat forever so I might as well prepare.

Wonder Woman gives Mac and Mei a rundown they've probably heard a couple times before. Now that everyone is on a beach together, she figures she'll tell them again. "I think we can trust T'Challa for a while. If he made any friends we could pull them in too."

Mac adjusts his black top. "Peach doesn't have anywhere to go, her crew got MASSACRED." He catches himself sounding a little too happy and clears his throat. "Sad thing."

"Whatever helps us out. I don't know about you two.." Diana turns to them. "But if the Blu drama showed us anything, it's that he never forgets. You two flipped on him quite a bit, and that worries me: will he stick to our alliance?"

Mei pops her finger. "I hope so. There's no room for flips now. We have big threats on this beach. And Sektor."

"Wow.." Mac pauses. "I know he's a douche but you really did him like that."

Diana shakes her head. "I'd step in if he wasn't so cruel. We don't need to walk on eggshells."

Mac: I'm feeling this five, and if we get Peach? That's a solid six. Diana had a bad time with one, but that doesn't mean we will. Some All-Stars seasons have boring steamrolls. Wouldn't be so boring if WE did that. Right?

Li Mei: We could rat her out tonight, but let's not. With all these threats around, we can hide for a while. I'll consider a flip later.

Mac: Flips get my heart racing..but that makes them fun.

Mei: Don't get ahead of yourself.

Mac: I'll try.

The Loabi split only grows bigger. On one end, there's Gordon, Diana, Mac, Mei, and likely T'Challa. If they get a couple more like Peach? They may run the game. However, the other side consisting of Cyrax, Li, and Sackboy aren't ready to give up.

Cyrax has a new trick up his sleeve. It only takes a few hours for him to reveal his new idol! Sackboy smiles wide, and Li just nods. "How did you get this?"

"Underneath the table."

Li's slightly raises a lip. "You beat him there."

"He was upset..but he's not my target." Cyrax clarifies, putting the item back in his compartment. "We have a few names. The easy option is Metal Sonic. I don't want him skating by too far, or else we may not be able to stop him. He's learned from his hubris..or at least he should for his own sake."

Li steps closer. "Any ideas from that four?"

"Diana is strong. We can't let her run to the end." Sackboy chimes in, getting a proud look from Li. He notices this and rubs his face. "What's going on? Is something on my head?"

"It's nice to see your contribution. You normally don't engage in strategy." Cyrax explains.

"Megatron can't stop this version of you." Li praises, and Sack's eyes light up.

"Really?"

She gives him a warm smile. "Really."

Cut to a new confessional, where Li and Cyrax share it.

Chun-Li: I'm not trying to baby him. He's just that sweet of a human.

Cyrax: He is not a homosapien, but I understand.

Back to the trio, and Cyrax is still on strategy babble. "Incase Metal and Diana find safety, we may have to go for Gordon. However..I could discuss an alternate plan with Metal himself. There is one massive issue.."

Li shakes her head, aware of his bad relationship with Metal's closest ally. "There should be a few more Hathuru we can get. Here's MY concern: isn't it too early to remove Gordon? He's a big name, as long as he's here, you can always put the target on him."

"Gordon's too volatile to leave alone…but dealing with Metal is like dealing with a crazy concoction." Cyrax mentions, but he sets a finger to his metal chin. "I don't feel comfortable keeping either of them around, but we'll have to call a truce with one of them."

"Sektor's a mean man." Sackboy adds. "Gordon is nice enough to let us stay a round. Or two. Sektor would just stab you."

Cyrax shakes his head. "All we can do is plant the fabled 'seeds of trust' with T'Challa, Peach..and perhaps Slade if he has mellowed out."

Li herself looks uncertain.

Chun-Li: We can either call a truce and eliminate a dark force..OR team up with said dark force to counteract a foursome. It just seems premature to me. Trusting Metal has been a mistake for Nefarious, Shane, Michonne, and so many others. I'd rather wait a couple rounds, as passive as it's seems.

Speaking of Metal, he's sitting all alone at the fire. He's bouncing a rock up between his hands and the dry dirt.

"Any day now.."

Metal Sonic: I am back at phase one. From what was leaked to me, a turf war between the Loabi is imminent. It HAS to be. Seven can't stay together forever. Even if they decide to rid me early, I have an immunity idol, and a twisted plot brewing.

His silence is interrupted by Peach, who's eyes follow the little rock bouncing. "Hello?"

Metal looks up to her, cold and slowly. "What do you need me for?"

"I was checking." Peach steps in with hesitation. Seeing Metal angry is not comforting at all, but somehow, someway they've had a working relationship. Unfortunately it's left her burned multiple times. She has to ask herself why she's even considering another talk with him.

"Sooo no one has really talked game with me yet. A little worried…"

Metal sets his focus back on the rock. "They will, and when they do…Hm. This suggestion may not be for you, but I believe it's in OUR best interest to keep a Hathuru involved. Dent these Loabi allegiances while we still can. There could be a supermajority and we would never know."

"You did just screw me over and over again.." Peach looks exhausted after that. "But I've been looking to be more..selfish I guess. I'll consider it."

"Selfishness is a superpower in an experiment like this."

Cut to a Peach confessional.

Peach: Ugh, I want him out so bad! He was literally going to vote me out! I want to but…I don't know what anyone's thinking now. Are Cyrax and Li ACTUALLY together? What's Wonder Woman doing? Is there really a..a BIG big alliance? I should tell on Metal for what he's done, but..again, the last time I let my emotions get ahead of me, it cost me a million coins. Controlling it has done good :)

She immediately looks uncertain.

Peach: But Zelda trusted Metal and paid. Ripley did for a while and paid. He voted against his "friend" (Nefarious), and ended up proving Shane right in the end. I should just vote him out and get it over with.

Merge is already getting a little tough for some. The Loabi conflict is bleeding into the merge, but Metal's aggressive gameplay is too. So far it's looking like this: The Gordon/Diana side of things is looking to regroup. Season Four's group is thinking of what voting block could work best for this vote. Then there's the five Hathuru who have found themselves in a bigger game. It's not looking good for Metal or Sektor, but maybe they could make it out if certain things go right.

So far it may seem jumbled, but more perspective will be given as we head into Day 19. Have a good one! :)