"Last time, on Total Drama Pizza Party!" Chef began, standing in front of the plaza fountain. "The cast wound up kinda split down the middle. Or at least as much as five pairs can be cut in half."

"I mean on one side, Veronica wanted an alliance with Green and Brown... or mostly just Panic and Brynleigh," Chris chuckled. "But Panic preferred to work with Red... or mostly just Orson. Meanwhile, Red had their deal with Blue."

"It's things like this which show how important challenges are this season," Chef claimed. "Just that little bit of power can set the tone. And everyone knew that as they went into the challenge!"

"A big ol' board game set in a fantastic candy wonderland!" Chris proclaimed. "Brynleigh sure enjoyed herself, eh Chef?"

"She better have! Rentin' the place was expensive!" Chef huffed. "Even with the Pineapple weighin' the Brown Pair down, it was a fairly close race... up until Veronica kept drawin' all the best cards in the deck, sending the Purple Pair way ahead of everyone else!"

"Some people have all the luck," Chris chuckled.

"With the Blue Pair's social standin' at an all-time low, they wound up bein' the Purple Pair's pick to go into the Half n' Half Challenge," Chef recapped. "But the vote was anythin' but straightforward!"

"And a lot went into it!" Chris added. "The Brown Pair grew even warier of Orson, Jenna started to doubt Veronica's alliance after finding out about it way too late, and Pavel finally made up with Charlie, kinda."

"In the end, a 2-1-1 vote sent the Jalapeno Green Pair into the Half n' Half to face off against the Mushroom Blue Pair!" Chef recalled. "A game of logic, deduction, and a bit o' luck. Coulda gone to anyone, but the Blue Pair beat out the Green Pair once again', sendin' them two home."

"But not before the important stuff!" Chris laughed. "Panic figured out that the Red Pair voted for the Green Pair, and Orson was surprisingly quick to own up to it being his idea. So much for that whole friendship, hehaha. Panic was not happy, and others weren't exactly happy with Orson either when he claimed he didn't do anything wrong."

"If ya want deep philosophical dives into the morality of hurtin' others for good TV content, I sure ain't the one to ask," Chef snickered.

"Me neither, Chef, me neither," Chris nodded proudly.

"But we do know good TV content, and y'all at home are about to see that firsthand!" Chef declared. "Who'll win today's challenge, n' who'll get hit with the Pineapple? Will any more big upsets happen?"

"Will someone else cry?!" Chris asked excitedly.

"It's all happenin' right here, on Total! Drama! Pizza Party!" Chef proclaimed.

After the Half n' Half Challenge, Sawyer and Orson walked to a more secluded area of the park to talk.

"That outburst was extremely childish and annoying, but what's done is done," Sawyer put her hands on her hips. "Now we can simply continue to dominate this game from here."

"Agreed," Orson nodded. "This is for the best, since now we have such a strong ally as our alliance moving into the final four. Things appear to be looking much better for us."

"Far be it from me to praise people like Ichabod, but he and Charlie are less incompetent than Brown and Purple," Sawyer said. "So, by default, they are the best allies to have now."

"They also have some team synergy, which the others don't seem to have," Orson continued. "So with us and Blue being the only teams who seem to be on the same level, this shouldn't be any big deal at all."

"Absolutely," Sawyer nodded. "Frankly, I'm also just happy that one annoying pest is finally gone. Certainly took them long enough."

"I assume you're referring to Panic?" Orson asked.

"Of course," Sawyer scoffed. "All they did was walk around acting better than everyone else, while not having any proof they were. If you want to have that kind of attitude, don't shatter at the first sign of resistance."

"Panic is my friend," Orson remarked. "It was what was best for our game, however."

Sawyer looked at Orson. "You know, I'm surprised with you."

"Oh yeah? How so?" Orson asked.

"I didn't expect you to have such a cutthroat edge," Sawyer explained.

"What do you mean?" Orson looked surprised.

Sawyer raised an eyebrow. "Are you fucking with me? The way you shut down Panic in front of everyone was brutal. Very impressive. It took even me a short while to get to that level of professionalism."

"I was simply playing the game," Orson reiterated. "I'm surprised Panic was so shocked at my decision. My reasoning was sound, right?"

"People take the game very seriously, I suppose," Sawyer said.

"I don't get why they would take it so seriously as to get that upset," Orson frowned. "Sure, there is a lot of money at stake, but if you come in with nothing, leaving with nothing shouldn't matter. I thought everyone would understand that."

"I guess you could always ask them yourself if you're that curious," Sawyer shrugged. "I don't know what's going through their heads, so I couldn't give you an answer."

"Maybe I will," Orson responded.

"Just don't piss people off even more," Sawyer chided.

Orson: "I am pretty shocked at how poorly Panic took the move I made last night. I thought given that they were more in tune with the game that they would understand? Everyone else even looked at me funny when I was simply explaining my position. It simply does not make sense."

Sawyer: "I am unsure why Orson is still playing so coy with his cutthroat nature. He just flat out backstabbed someone who was in love with him, and then proceeded to humiliate them in front of everyone. Does he seriously not get it? For me, it doesn't particularly matter as long as there are results. Getting closer to that money at the end is what matters, and Orson can be as strange as he wants as long as we win in the end."

Remi and Veronica - the only two people in the communal bathroom - brushed their teeth by each other. Remi took notice of how aggressive Veronica's brushing had become.

"You, uh, you good Roni?" Remi asked.

Veronica spit into the sink. "No, Remi, I most certainly am not! One-third of my alliance, nay, one-third of my friends have just been eliminated! How could anyone be okay in such a circumstance?"

"Yeah, that does feel rough. I wasn't happy when Alex left," Remi sympathized.

"Oh, right, her," Veronica remembered.

"Uh, but hey, we're not out of it yet," Remi said. He looked around to make sure no one else was there. "Assuming the Brown Pair sticks with us, all we need is to rope in one of Red or Blue, and we should be guaranteed safe."

"Remi, we're absolute challenge demons, I'm not worried about being safe," Veronica whimpered. "I'm worried about looking like a big buffoon! After all the work I put into putting together a majority! Being a woman of the people who gets things done, and other such things! And now with Panic gone, it reflects negatively on me!"

"It's probably not as big a deal as it might seem," Remi attempted.

"See, even you think I'm some dumb sheltered idiot who doesn't know what she's doing!" Veronica cried.

"Hey, that's not what I said," Remi frowned. "All I'm saying is that we can turn this around. Since we need two other pairs to work together with us to make sure the vote goes our-"

"Oh yes, let us put our fate in the hands of Sawyer or Ichabod, they're both fun-loving individuals who would have our best interests at heart!" Veronica scoffed.

Remi gestured for her to keep her voice down. "I mean... that's not an awful point, but we don't really have a lot of options here. And that's something I wanted to discuss with you, because I'm not thrilled about either option."

"Then let us take a third option!" Veronica decided.

"Which is...?" Remi questioned.

"Picking neither and simply winning every challenge from here on out!" Veronica laughed proudly. "See? Who's the fragile piece of furniture who doesn't know what they're doing now?!"

Remi sighed. "Let's sleep on it. Sorry for springing all this on you when the stress of the night's still fresh."

He spit into the sink and headed to the boys' bedroom.

Remi: "See, on one hand, neither member of the Blue Pair has given me any indication that they trust me or want to work with me at all. And it sounds like it's much the same on Roni's end. But then there's the Red Pair, who have worked with me in the past, but... both are just kind of awful? I'm still shook from whatever the hell Orson's been on tonight!" (He sighed and held his head.) "It's not gonna be easy, but rock and roll never is, baby."

Veronica: "To think, I flew on the wings of Icarus, basking in my own splendor, only for the harsh realities of the world to melt my wings and give me a reality check! Even Remi seems to doubt me, and he's always been there for me! Has all my education of the common world amounted to nothing?! At this point, only Brynleigh remains as a stalwart and reliable friend upon whom I can lean! I suppose she will simply have to do!"

The following morning, Charlie sat at a table in The Breakfast Nook, looking around expectantly. Shortly after, Ichabod walked up carrying two plates of food and two cups of coffee.

"I hope it is to your liking," Ichabod set one of each in front of Charlie and sat down. "It was on sale. I could not pass on a sale."

"It's all good, looks good to me," Charlie said before sighing.

"If it is not satisfactory, I can return it," Ichabod replied.

Charlie shook his head. "No, it's not that, I just still feel bad for Jenna and Panic. They got thrown to the wolves last night."

"I can agree with that," Ichabod said as he took a sip of his coffee. "It helped us survive, but it was an uncomfortable situation to watch unfold, to be sure. I suppose that if we emerge victorious in this competition, their elimination shall not be in vain is a way to look at it."

"I guess so," Charlie replied. "I am just surprised Orson was so capable of doing something like that."

"As am I," Ichabod echoed. "Frankly, I expected nothing of that kid, as he appeared to simply play second fiddle to Sawyer, now I can see that Orson is someone to be wary of."

"For sure," Charlie nodded. "I'm not entirely sure of where to go from here."

"Do you not wish to continue working with Pepperoni Red?" Ichabod asked.

"...I don't know," Charlie hesitated. "I do believe Orson, at least currently, seems to want to work with us, but I don't know when that would change, and he would just discard us like he did with Green."

"I understand the feeling entirely," Ichabod admitted. "I never truly enjoyed working with them, I always found them to be quite underhanded. It has felt more like a plan of convenience than anything else to me."

"If we do intend on splitting from Red, there is some hope," Charlie began. "Pavel spoke to me yesterday about the incident, and it seemed promising."

"Now, I similarly do not particularly trust Pavel either," Ichabod objected. "He essentially destroyed our old alliance singlehandedly, that alone gives me little reason to ever trust him again."

"I understand your hesitancy, but if he wants to work things out, that means he wouldn't want us out…" Charlie said. "At least, I'd hope."

"We do not know that, but perhaps we can test the waters on that," Ichabod grunted. "I do not feel he is a suitable alliance partner anymore, to say nothing of his partner."

"Well, if Brown and Red aren't trustworthy, that only leaves Purple," Charlie concluded. "Which you have essentially destroyed the possibility of working with in the last round."

"Right," Ichabod looked away.

"Unless maybe, you tried fixing it?" Charlie suggested.

"I do not wish to grovel," Ichabod sternly responded.

"Oh no, no groveling," Charlie assured Ichabod. "Just trying to appeal to them to not immediately gun for us, maybe?"

"Perhaps," Ichabod sighed. "If I am able to get through to those two with logic, then I shall try my best."

"Can't hurt to try," Charlie smiled. "I guess we have an idea of what we need to be doing."

"Today will not be a pleasant day," Ichabod sighed and looked up. "Why must my journey be the hardest?"

Ichabod: "Attempting to appeal to Purple will be exceptionally difficult, and I do not expect to be successful. The two of them are so distant from logical thought that I expect them to see me as more intimidating than not. But on the other hand, Pavel is a foolhardy, irascible oaf who has completely destroyed my trust. I do not see him earning it back, but if Charlie is potentially getting along better with him now, perhaps they can see eye to eye. For now."

Charlie: "I'm glad that Ichabod at least seems receptive to the idea that Red might not be the best long term alliance. Maybe I'm being sensitive, maybe I'm just not cut out for a cutthroat competition like this, but I don't like seeing someone get taken advantage of like the way I saw Orson do at the last elimination. I don't want to associate myself with that!"

Pavel found Brynleigh at a store in Sugari-La called 'Nougatta Be Kidding!', where she had a plate of giant chocolate bars she ate with a knife and fork.

"I've never seen someone eat chocolate with utensils before," Pavel noted.

"Do they not have food this big in prison?" Brynleigh sneered.

"They don't have knives and forks in prison," Pavel grunted.

"Oh. I guess that makes sense," Brynleigh accepted. "A-Anyway, did you actually need me for something?"

"Just wanted to let you know that I think we're finally on the same page as far as the game goes," Pavel told her. "I want the Red Pair gone."

"Finally! It only took, what, half the game?" Brynleigh huffed.

"Yeah, yeah, I've been a stubborn pain in the ass," Pavel relented. "Never wanted to be, but no matter how hard I try, sometimes I just-!" He sighed. "I'm not here to make excuses. I'm here to make sure Orson and Sawyer get the chair. So to speak."

"Ooh, the chair," Brynleigh snickered. "Glad to hear you finally see things my way. We just have to make sure we win some challenges, and... I dunno. Something will happen our way."

"Are you still good with Veronica?" Pavel asked.

"As far as she knows," Brynleigh answered before eating another bite of her giant chocolate bar.

"Because I might be on the road to recovery with Charlie," Pavel continued. "If we can make sure those pairs are also on the anti-Red train, we might not even need to win a challenge to make sure they're in the Half n' Half at the very least."

"And what happens if Red wins Invincibility, huh?" Brynleigh asked. "What, you want to turn Blue and Purple against each other, too? That's a great idea! I'm glad I came up with it!"

"I feel like encouraging our allies to get along is going to pay off more," Pavel denied.

"How? There's only four pairs left!" Brynleigh pointed out. "If they aren't each other's backup plan, then we are! Get with the program!"

"I'm tryin', but you're not lettin' me talk!" Pavel shouted.

Brynleigh's eyes widened. She leaned back a little and started fidgeting with her fork.

"...Sorry. Didn't mean to yell," Pavel apologized. "All I'm tryin' to say is that we need Blue and Purple to trust us. Not just for this round, but for the next round, too. Blatantly throwin' them under the bus to each other isn't gonna accomplish that. Red winnin' Invincibility is a rough what-if, but we'll cross that bridge if we get to it. That's all I'm sayin'."

"I guess..." Brynleigh accepted.

"Are you okay, Bryn?" Pavel asked.

"Do I look okay, you jackass?!" Brynleigh snarled.

Pavel grit his teeth and walked away.

Pavel: "For all the crap Brynleigh gives me on a regular basis, part of me feels like I'm justified in expressing my frustration towards her. People should feel safe callin' out others for bein' emotionally harmful to them. But... every time I get mad at Brynleigh, it seems like it cuts her even deeper. That's not who I wanna be. But I also don't wanna be someone who gets taken advantage of. And boy, I sure as hell don't know what to do about it!"

Brynleigh: "Pavel's... weird. And stupid. And I don't like him."

Charlie walked through a busy section of the Faire, scanning the area. He noticed Sawyer already sitting at a table, looking at her watch. He slowly made his way over.

"Tsk, tsk," Sawyer tapped her watch. "Making me wait, after asking to meet me here, quite inconsiderate I'd say."

"This is the time I asked for us to meet up, though," Charlie said, pointing at a clock that said 12:00 PM.

"On time is late, in the business world, it is simply the polite thing to be early, as to not waste the other person's time," Sawyer explained.

"Well, sorry about that then," Charlie looked away awkwardly.

"Don't be sorry, be better," Sawyer chastised as she pointed to a chair. "No matter, have a seat."

"Alright, well I wanted to talk to you about the status of the game right now," Charlie said.

"What do you need specifically? I am quite busy," Sawyer immediately retorted. "I am doing you a favor right now by squeezing you in, really."

"Right," Charlie sighed. "Well, I wanted to talk to you about Orson."

Sawyer said nothing in response, and only continued to look at Charlie expectantly

"Um, honestly, I was quite put off by Orson's behavior during the last challenge," Charlie looked away from Sawyer's piercing gaze. "I was wondering how you felt about it."

"It is none of my concern," Sawyer shrugged. "As long as Orson continues to put up results for me, I don't care."

"Ah, I see," Charlie responded.

"You also should not be worried, I have him under control," Sawyer asserted. "He should know who really holds the cards in our pairing."

"So you say that you're the one running the Red Pair," Charlie asked.

"Of course," Sawyer scoffed. "Like he could ever make me take orders from him."

"Well, that makes sense to me," Charlie quickly noted.

"Good," Sawyer grunted.

Sawyer took a lollipop out of her jacket and unwrapped it.

"You should not be worried about anything, our plan is foolproof," Sawyer reiterated. "Do you seriously think that Brown or Purple could do anything about it?"

"Well, the plan was the plan with Panic too," Charlie posited. "That didn't seem to really matter."

"That is irrelevant," Sawyer disagreed. "It is idiotic to ruminate on the past like this, you must simply look forward and stick to the plan."

"That is easier said than done, honestly," Charlie frowned slightly.

"What would you even want from an interaction like this?" Sawyer raised an eyebrow. "Do you expect me to affirm your distrust in my partner? Do you wish for me to be a comforting shoulder? I am not that to you, so just get over it."

"I guess you're right," Charlie shrugged. "It's just so down to the wire, I was bound to have a moment."

"Some people do have weaker constitution for stress than others," Sawyer remarked. "It is to be expected that someone would crack."

"Absolutely, but I'll try to make sure that isn't me," Charlie breathed out.

Charlie: "I don't entirely know what I expected from asking Sawyer to talk but I gotta say, it was an enlightening conversation in some ways. She did get a bit defensive when she felt her authority was being questioned… which I wasn't really expecting. She seems like the type to be very self-assured in her status, but that was quite telling. I'm not sure what to do with this information, but it is something to keep in mind I guess."

Sawyer: "Charlie is quite annoying to deal with, while perhaps not to the extent of someone like… Panic, he still seems to need reassurance at every corner." She crossed her arms. "If he were my employee, then I'd simply tell him to get back to work and stop wasting time, but if his head is more preoccupied with his emotions then he will be less of a problem moving forward, so perhaps this is for the best."

Brynleigh remained at the same table where Pavel had found her before, face down on the table.

"Ah! Brynleigh! My shining beacon of hope! There you are!" Veronica cried as she ran up to the table.

"Eurghhhghghghgh..." Brynleigh groaned.

"Panic has been eliminated, and we need to talk about it!" Veronica insisted.

"They refused to see any point of view that they didn't already believe, and started whining the second the world didn't give them their way on a silver platter," Brynleigh scoffed. "You'll have to excuse me for not feeling too bad about it."

"While none of those things may apply to you, you are still my best friend in the whole wide world, and we need to support each other in this trying time!" Veronica pleaded.

"And Remi can't do that?" Brynleigh doubted. "Even you have to realize he's probably way better at friendship stuff than me."

"Oh, how I thought so!" Veronica bemoaned. "But even he thinks I'm some out-of-touch imbecile who doesn't know what she's doing. Even after everything I've done out here!"

"Damn, that's crazy," Brynleigh responded. "Anyway, we just have to make sure Red and Blue go into the Half n' Half this round."

"I couldn't agree more!" Veronica proclaimed. "See, we really are of the same mind, as all besties are! It is re-heartening to learn that someone has faith in my abilities!"

"Right..." Brynleigh glanced aside. "Honestly, this round is probably going to be the last really hard part. If we can just drop one of those other pairs, then we'll have the majority when it's down to three pairs. We just have to make sure one of those other pairs does go."

"I would thank my lucky stars that you and I are so good at challenges, but unfortunately, so are the other two pairs," Veronica sighed. "But we have one thing that they don't, which is heart and soul!"

"Obviously," Brynleigh snickered. "But yeah, that's how I see the game right now."

"And that's why you're the smart one," Veronica complimented.

"...Alright, I'll bite, what does that make you?" Brynleigh sighed.

"The charming challenge threat, of course!" Veronica flexed her arms for attempted effect.

"What do you mean, I'm charming as shit!" Brynleigh objected.

"Of course you are, darling. Simply not as much so as I am," Veronica assured her.

"Tch. If that's the case, then why don't you go use your infinite rizz to go convince the other pairs to screw each other over?" Brynleigh suggested.

"Another excellent idea from the smart one!" Veronica clapped. "I shall do just so! You remain here and continue to indulge in oversized confectionary! You deserve it!"

Veronica skipped off merrily. Brynleigh held her head.

Brynleigh: "Just when I think Pavel's the worst person I've had to deal with all day, here comes Veronica to remind the world that some people really are like that. Sadly, I have to stick with her if I want any chance to stick around. Like I said before, I sure as hell don't trust Sawyer or Icky-bod! I have no idea if Veronica will actually make any progress in making those two want to get rid of each other, but hey, it's better than me having to do it."

Veronica: "I refuse to be eliminated from this game! It has provided me with so many opportunities I haven't seen before, and may not see since! Of course, all the politics and voting of it all seem unnecessarily convoluted, and that's why I'm glad Brynleigh is so willing to think about that for me! Ohhhhhhohohohoho!"

Remi walked through the park alone, looking at various food trucks in the area. As he decided what to eat, Ichabod walked out from behind a food truck and stood directly in front of Remi.

"We need to talk," Ichabod sternly said, looking down at Remi.

"About what?" Remi sighed and looked at Ichabod. "Do you wanna rub your win in my face or something? I get it, you did very well in the elimination, good on ya."

Remi turned to walk past Ichabod, who then blocked his path again.

"No, I do not wish to parade my achievements, that would hardly accomplish anything," Ichabod grumbled. "I wish to mend fences."

"Oh, really?" Remi asked. "Well, that sounds good to me, why not?"

"Excellent," Ichabod nodded.

The two stood silently for a moment, Ichabod stared forward and crossed his arms.

"So, what exactly did you have in mind?" Remi asked.

"Like what?" Ichabod responded. "This is what I had in mind. We shall mend our fences, and that is it."

"So you just wanted to say we're good and that's it?" Remi questioned. "Did we want to not actually do any mending?"

"I do not appreciate you believing I am not willing to put in any work," Ichabod dissented. "It irks me greatly."

"Oh, uh, sorry I guess," Remi rubbed the back of his head.

"Yes, quite," Ichabod huffed.

Remi looked around for a moment. "Y'know, I get if it's hard for you, and it's fine if you don't want to get on the same wavelength or anything. We could just be playing different games… that's fine too."

"That is awfully presumptuous of you," Ichabod tutted. "I am willing to work with you, in fact."

"Is that so?" Remi raised an eyebrow.

"Indeed it is," Ichabod continued. "We both saw what happened at the last elimination, yes? I take it that you did not enjoy watching that."

"I didn't," Remi confirmed. "It was really harsh, the way the Red Team acted. Kind of a bummer, man."

"Kind of a bummer, indeed," Ichabod repeated condescendingly. "I believe that type of behavior should not go without some form of penalty, as it upset even my own partner."

"It did?" Remi asked. "Sorry to hear it, hopefully it didn't bring up any bad memories of earlier in the game or anything…"

"Yes, I imagine it might have," Ichabod continued. "Regardless, I cannot stand idly by and allow this."

"Hell yeah, man, way to stick to your guns," Remi smiled and playfully punched Ichabod in the arm. Ichabod looked at Remi unamused.

"Right, well," Ichabod cleared his throat. "Do you wish to join forces? Even if only to eliminate Pepperoni Red from the game, it may prove beneficial."

"Well that I can get down with," Remi smiled.

"In that case, it appears we have the beginning of a new partnership," Ichabod stuck his hand out.

Remi grasped Ichabod's hand firmly. "To a new partnership."

Ichabod: "Ultimately, Remi was able to listen to reason here, and that, while surprising, is exactly what I need to enact my plan. For quite some time now, I have been unsatisfied with my position in this game, and to resume my position of power, I must overthrow Sawyer. Ultimately, this plan will, if successful, will propel the Mushroom Blue Pair to victory. Of that, I am sure."

Remi: "It's clear as day to me that Ichabod still thinks he did nothing wrong at the last challenge, and that he needs to just talk down to me, but if he's coming to me with a deal, why not take it? At the end of the day, we need connections to make it to the end of this game, and if this is the connection I need to make it one step further, so be it. Besides, Roni's been making deals behind my back for ages now, why not do one of my own?"

Pavel lounged on a sofa in the rest area, throwing a bouncy ball against the wall and catching it on the return. Charlie hobbled in.

"You doin' alright?" Pavel asked.

"I'll be fine. Just need to let my leg relax for a bit," Charlie assured him as he sat down in a chair and rested his leg on the table in front of him.

"Makes sense," Pavel nodded.

Charlie noticed the pensive expression on Pavel's face. "Is something on your mind? Er, not that I wish to pry. Simply out of concern for a... a friend, I hope."

"There's always too much on my mind, that's the problem," Pavel sighed. "What do you think is on my mind?"

"Well, I understand you consider Orson a friend," Charlie mentioned. "Last night's elimination showcased a side of him I had hoped wasn't there."

"I mean, that's definitely part of it," Pavel agreed. "Orson just not carin' at all was real cold. I never really got along with Panic, so them bein' shocked that they got backstabbed in Total Drama doesn't really do it for me. But that whole thing really solidified in my mind that we can't trust the Red Pair. I'm choosin' to use it as motivation instead of lettin' it weigh me down."

"That's admirable. I wish I had that kind of resolve," Charlie smiled. He then sighed. "I just can't stop thinking about it. How could Orson dismiss Panic's feelings like that? Even if it is a cutthroat game, you'd think he'd feel something after backstabbing a good friend."

"...Sometimes I envy that. Feelin' nothing when the goin' gets tough," Pavel admitted.

"Is feeling nothing better than feeling too strongly?" Charlie inquired.

"Sure would be for me," Pavel grunted. "I can't even talk to Brynleigh and tell her we're on the same page without losin' my temper at her. I mean, yeah, she's a pain in the ass, but I should be the bigger person here."

"Brynleigh is certainly someone who enjoys pushing others' buttons," Charlie conceded. "And if she's making you uncomfortable, you should communicate that with her."

"You'd think so," Pavel scoffed. "But... I dunno. I feel like there's some kind of deep-seated shit goin' on with her. And I just know that if I clap back, I'm gonna get carried away and hurt her even worse."

"It seems to me like you're a very empathetic person, Pavel," Charlie noted. "And your refusal to try and force two wrongs into making a right is laudable as well."

"...Damn it, you weren't even tryin' to analyze me, and you still ended up doin' it," Pavel huffed.

"All I did was assess the situation you presented and compliment the way you went about it," Charlie frowned. "Why does that irk you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Don't worry about it," Pavel dismissed. He stood up and headed for the exit. "Hope your leg gets better. I'm gonna go get somethin' to eat."

Charlie gazed ponderously at the wall as Pavel left the room.

Charlie: "I couldn't be happier that my friendship with Pavel has found some sort of normalcy again. While I genuinely care about him as a friend, I can't help but want to look at Pavel as a patient. It's clear he suffers from low self-esteem thanks in large part to his anger issues, but even that showcases how much he cares about the way he affects others. If I can just get to the root of that temper... But he's also made it clear that he doesn't like when people pry into these things. It's frustrating. I just want to help."

Pavel: "I mean, a leopard's never gonna change its stripes I guess. But if I can put up with Bryn's constant bullshit, I can put up with Charlie bein' patronizing for a few more days. We need to work together if we want any chance of makin' it through this part of the game. I'll do my best to keep myself on a leash, and I think he's at least tryin' not to be so pushy and condescending. Small progress is still a million times better than no progress."

Meanwhile, Ichabod hurried through the park, heading directly towards the rest area. As he continued down the path, standing in front of the door was Veronica, who planted her hands on her hips firmly. Ichabod sighed and paused as he saw her.

"Hey!" Veronica pointed at Ichabod. "I believe that we need to talk!"

"I do not wish to right now," Ichabod said as he approached the door to the rest area. "I simply wish to lay down and collect my thoughts."

"That is not going to happen!" Veronica protested.

"And why is that?" Ichabod said, attempting to sidestep her.

"Because during the last challenge I had to listen to you drivel on and complain, and now it is your turn!" Veronica insisted.

"I might as well simply hear this, and do my part for the team…" Ichabod grumbled under his breath, before looking at Veronica. "As you wish."

"I resent the implication that I am simply stumbling through this game without a care in the world!" Veronica yelled. "I have won challenges and made hard decisions, just like anyone else!"

"And what kind of decisions would those be?" Ichabod raised an eyebrow.

"Well, um," Veronica thought. "I believe putting you into the duel was quite the move!"

"It was not surprising in the slightest that you nominated Charlie and I," Ichabod countered. "Especially after our confrontation."

"Well, then, you might just be jealous of me or something!" Veronica declared.

Ichabod stifled a chuckle. "You are serious? You are of the belief that I am jealous?"

"Yes!" Veronica said. "You're just jealous of all the improvement that I've been doing! How I have been pushing myself to all new heights while you continue to fall! I bet I am right!"

"You would not know the first thing about self-improvement, nor holding yourself to higher standards," Ichabod bitterly retorted.

"Oh yeah?" Veronica objected. "Well, I believe that I have changed a lot. I am a much different person than when I walked in!"

"You believe that simply rolling around in the mud to be a form of self improvement," Ichabod shook his head. "I hold myself to the highest standard possible, and will strive in real, tangible ways to become the best version of myself."

"The old Veronica would not have ever rolled in the mud," Veronica chimed in.

"For my entire life, I have been determined to continue upon the path to greatness, and I will not be lectured by a spoiled princess who has deigned to mingle with regular human beings," Ichabod growled.

"There you go again!" Veronica pointed out. "Again, acting like none of my efforts mean anything!"

"Is there a single thing that you have done that has served to actively improve yourself?" Ichabod asked. "Alternatively, is the one quality about yourself that you would say has changed significantly?"

"Well, you see I have…" Veronica began, before trailing off, seemingly in thought. "Um, hmm."

"I see," Ichabod crossed his arms.

"I… think I need to think about my answer," Veronica said. "However, this is not over!"

Ichabod walked straight past Veronica, and opened the door to the rec area. "Yes, go do that."

Ichabod then closed the door behind him as he stomped in.

Ichabod: "My actions were entirely too emotional in that instance, and I like to consider myself a person who guides his actions with logic, but her attitude of frivolity towards ideals that I hold so close was extremely insulting to me. I felt her ideas of 'improvement' to be severely misguided, so someone needed to tell her. I will never hold back the truth to someone."

Veronica: "Ichabod is truly getting on my last nerves!" Veronica huffed. "He acts all high and mighty and I am getting quite sick of it! However, I admit that Ichabod did give me quite a good question to ask myself… have I really not improved at all?! I refuse to believe that! There must be some way I have changed! I will prove how much I have changed to everyone!"

Sawyer approached a food truck at The Breakfast Nook with a proud look on her face.

"One mimosa, hold the crémant," she requested.

"...Ma'am, if you want orange juice, please just ask," the tired-looking young lady working there sighed.

"Excuse me?" Sawyer scoffed, amused. "If you think you're in any position to tell me how I should conduct myself, it seems you have gravely misunderstood the world around you. I will not ask again."

The woman - on the verge of tears - retreated further inside the truck.

"Was that really necessary?" Remi asked.

"Oh, it's you. I hadn't noticed," Sawyer smiled. "What do you want?"

Remi twitched, but kept up his usual smile. "Well, I mean, we're down to four pairs. I know things have been kind of up-and-down for us throughout the game, but we need to make sure we can rely on each other. Otherwise, those two stronger pairs are gonna cream us."

"I couldn't agree more," Sawyer blustered. "About us needing to stick together, not about the other pairs being stronger. The Brown Pair making it this far has been amusing in a farcical kind of way, but I think it's safe to say now is their time."

"You're in a... good? mood today," Remi noted.

"Though having critics is a sign that you truly have found success, it's always nice knowing that the greater public can't take them seriously," Sawyer claimed.

"Is this about Panic?" Remi asked. "I get why you'd be glad to see them gone, but wasn't Orson their friend?"

Sawyer's face fell. "Who gives a damn what Orson thinks? The fact of the matter is that he played his little part in bringing Panic's guard down or something, and I was able to use that to split the vote, send the Green Pair into the Half n' Half, and send them home."

"Hey, come on, I know you two didn't get along, but it doesn't bother you at all how Orson just kind of screwed them like that and didn't feel bad?" Remi frowned.

"Why should he feel bad? Panic was an annoying thorn in my pair's side, and getting rid of them only benefits my game," Sawyer scowled.

"What about Jenna?" Remi asked. "She was cool. I don't recall a single time she butted heads with anyone besides maybe Panic themselves."

"What about Jenna?" Sawyer dismissed. "What about me?! I think you and others are grossly downplaying the power move I employed last night. Is it because I'm a woman, Remi? Does that diminish my accomplishments?"

"What? No! What?!" Remi stammered. "Come on, don't change the subject and accuse me of saying something I'm not, here."

"I am not changing the subject!" Sawyer insisted. "Any time anyone brings up last night's vote, it's all Orson, Orson, Orson! As if he was the one who wanted Panic gone! As if he wasn't simply doing as he was told! Told by me!"

Remi put his hands up and took a few steps back. "Maybe we should talk again after you've had your mock-mosa."

"Yes, where is it, anyway?" Sawyer returned her attention to the food truck, which had its windows shut and a Closed sign hung. "Pfft. What horrible service."

Sawyer: "I have been running this game from the very beginning. Orson has been my loyal pawn all throughout, and that is all he has been. So how dare the others try and tell me that last night's elimination was Orson's move! My friends, the world of business has never been easy for me, despite my aptitude for it. But the reason why I rise above the rest is because I earn it! Earn it!"

Remi: "Geez, I know Sawyer likes being in control of things, but I didn't know Orson getting eyes on him would be that much of a sore spot. I don't doubt that Sawyer had a big part in Panic and Jenna going home, but Orson is the one who stepped up and did Panic dirty like that on the way out. That was jarring, that's why people are talking about it. Guess Sawyer feels like she has to be jarring too, now... Great."

Pavel sat at an outside table near a fast food restaurant with a bag sitting in front of him. As he pulled out a small cheeseburger, he heard a voice behind him.

"May we talk?" The voice rang out, Pavel turned around and saw Orson standing behind him. Orson waved.

"Huh, why should I even bother? Considerin' what happened the last time someone got close to you," Pavel sniffed, and he turned back towards his foot.

"That is precisely what I wished to talk to you about," Orson said, as he walked in front of Pavel.

"Look man, I ain't really interested," Pavel shook his head. "Just move along, bro."

Orson then sat down directly across from Pavel, who simply stared at him. "I understand that you might look at me differently than before, but just hear me out."

"...Fine, I guess, since you've just decided to invite yourself anyway…" Pavel grumbled as he took a bite of his burger.

"I appreciate your time," Orson smiled. "I do realize that people may be upset with me, but I was just doing what I felt to be the correct move."

"I got that part, that's exactly what you said yesterday," Pavel retorted. "Doesn't make people not think it sucked to see it happen."

"Well, I am sure that you are quite used to being misunderstood as well, right?" Orson asked. "Given all the mishaps that you yourself had been involved in, I figured that you would be more understanding. I suppose I was wrong."

"Guess you were," Pavel snarled. "We ain't remotely the same, don't act like we are."

"I did not mean anything negative by the comparison, and if you took it as such, I apologize," Orson replied.

"Whatever," Pavel snorted, looking back at his food.

"I simply thought that you could potentially supply me with answers," Orson interjected again.

"And what answers would those be?" Pavel raised an eyebrow.

"I want to know why people are upset," Orson explained. "It does not make–"

"Man, the way you screwed with Panic's emotions was really uncomfortable, you get that right?" Pavel interrupted. "People don't wanna see that kinda thing, I can't speak for everyone, but that whole thing wasn't right."

"Within the confines of the game, it should not matter," Orson protested.

"We just ain't gonna agree on that," Pavel said. "This ain't goin' anywhere, so I think it's best we just stop talkin' about it."

"I do not get why we disagre–" Orson began.

"What part of stop talkin' do you not understand?!" Pavel began to raise his voice. "Get out of here dude, I'm tryna eat."

"Very well," Orson sighed as he stood up from his seat.

Orson then walked off, and Pavel angrily bit back into his burger.

Pavel: "Should I have been like that to the guy? Probably not, but man, he was starting to get on my nerves. Like, if he really doesn't get it, then I don't know what to tell the guy." Pavel paused, then began to furrow his brow. "And if he really thinks that I'm like him, that's just total BS. He's just tryin' to piss me off at that point!"

Orson: "Well, I suppose I have gone and made my situation potentially worse by upsetting another person. I just simply believe that people are conflating emotions with gameplay and that is quite unfortunate." Orson scratched his chin. "This is going to become a much bigger inconvenience than anticipated, it appears. What a shame."

The final eight contestants convened outside another yet-untapped section of the Faire's restaurant hubs. This one bore a sign reading 'The Garden of Eatin'', and inside were lots of green-and-orange decorations, art pieces depicting fruits and vegetables, and of course a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan eateries.

"First Shangri-La, now the Garden of Eden?" Sawyer noted. "I knew I was important, but they're almost flattering me at this point."

"I've definitely seen someone use that pun before," Brynleigh dismissed. "It's not that clever."

"Does this make the rest of us just as important as you, Sawyer?" Remi chuckled.

"Now you're just flattering yourself," Sawyer chortled.

"Alright, maggots!" Chef addressed as he and Chris arrived on-scene. "Welcome to the location for this round's challenges. The Garden of Eatin': where folks who think they're above the cycle of nature isolate themselves from the rest of the world!"

"Lots of people eat vegetarian for health reasons," Pavel pointed out.

"And we pray for them every night," Chris claimed.

"Follow me, n' we can get started on today's Pineapple challenge!" Chef instructed as he headed further into the hub.

The contestants did as instructed. As they sojourned through the new area, they looked around to take in the sights - and smells - of the patrons and the dishes they enjoyed.

"Everyone dresses like some combination of what the Pink Pair wore," Orson chuckled lightheartedly.

"What, fake performative hippies and trend-following white girls? In the vegan section?" Brynleigh jeered. "Crazy."

"Our group seems notably hostile towards this alternative lifestyle," Charlie frowned. "Lack of understanding in others is a surprisingly prevalent root in-"

"Did you say 'alternative lifestyle'?!" Veronica gasped. "This may be just the avenue I've been searching for! I look forward to grasping this smelly behavior by its horns, as they say!"

"Roni, you wouldn't be able to eat any meat, dairy, or eggs," Remi pointed out. "It's not just about showering less."

"If it means that people will begin to take me seriously, then no sacrifice is too grand!" Veronica cried.

"Hmph. That will be the day," Ichabod grunted.

Veronica: "Despite everything I've done throughout this season, others still doubt me! And it's led me to consider something I haven't considered before: what if everyone else is right and I've been wrong?! Well, that just means I need to try even harder! Come heck or high water, Veronica Adelheid Remi Gaspard will be a low-class lady of the people!" She tried to force a burp, but it didn't work.

Charlie: "Hostility towards veganism has been a trend I can't seem to wrap my head around. Sure, people tend to fear that which they don't understand, but I feel like the concept is pretty straightforward. There's the stereotype that vegans can be hostile towards those who don't follow a similar lifestyle, but it's only a stereotype. I wonder if there's any way to convince the others to be more open-minded."

Chef and Chris led the contestants to a tucked-away corner of the Garden of Eatin', and the contestants' faces twisted in confused disbelief. They stood before a large pool of some kind of viscous yellow liquid, with slabs shaped like various meat products littered throughout. At the other end of the pool was a ramp with several ropes dangling over it and pale yellow liquid running down. At the top of the ramp were eight kneelers, as well as a giant pineapple mascot with sunglasses and a marketable grin.

"What's up, party people?!" the pineapple mascot called out.

"What's up, pineapple dude!" Remi called back.

"You can call me Samadhi, the Primo Pineapple!" the pineapple introduced. "And I'm your host for today's Pineapple challenge!"

"Is this what Jenna meant when she said 'don't drink the water'?" Pavel wondered aloud.

"Here's how the challenge is going to work, broskis!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple continued. "Some buzzkill has littered my pineapple pool with all this meat! Major party foul. It's up to you to help me get rid of it all!"

"You're just foisting it onto us because we have arms and legs," Charlie joked.

"This challenge'll be played in rounds," Samadhi the Primo Pineapple continued. "At the start of each round, each of y'all will kneel before me, and I'll give you a hint regarding an eliminated contestant in this game. When you hear the horn, you'll head down into the pool, sift through the pineapple syrup, and find a piece of meat with that player's name on it. Then you'll have to climb a rope up the ramp and take a spot on one of the kneelers. But be careful - there's one less kneeler than there are players! That's because it's a musical chairs sort of affair. If you're the last one to come in with the right answer, then you're out! If you come to me with the wrong answer, you're also out! We'll keep on going until only one person is left standing. That person will win the almighty Pineapple for their pair! Are y'all ready for this most righteous challenge?"

"Always," Sawyer claimed.

Ichabod: "It seems victory today will most likely hinge entirely on me. It's not a feeling I'm unused to in my daily life, but as the game comes closer to the wire, I grow increasingly frustrated towards the frequency at which this seems to be the case. No matter. I will simply be superior to the others. That is also not a feeling I'm unused to in my daily life."

Brynleigh: "You expect me to remember weird details about the other players? I can barely remember half of their names! They're already gone, so who cares?!"

"Well Alrighty then!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple called out. "First question! Which of your fellow contestants garnered a following on YouTube playing video games? Go!"

As the pineapple called out, the eight remaining cast members slid down the slide into the pool of yellow liquid. Then the group spread out into the area to find their piece.

"Ah, this was quite simple," Ichabod said, immediately pulling a piece out of the pool labeled 'Kiko'. He jogged back to the rope, and pulled himself up to the kneeler.

Orson and Charlie searched in a nearby region of the pool. "This is harder than I thought it'd be…" Charlie muttered.

"I suppose it could be worse," Orson hummed. "This challenge should prove quite easy if you know what you're doing."

"I know who it's supposed to be," Charlie said. "It's just finding it is the problem.

"That is the hard part," Orson said, picking up a piece of meat out of the pool. "I believe I've punched my ticket to the next round, though. Best of luck, Charlie."

Orson rushed off, past Veronica, Remi, and Pavel, who were digging directly next to the ramp.

"Ugh, he already found one?" Pavel grunted as he searched.

"Dang, guess so," Remi said, sifting through the liquid.

"No way! This is so hard though!" Veronica cried as she searched through pieces, throwing them to the side when she finished looking at them.

"It is pretty hard, it's not like one will just–" Pavel suddenly was hit in the face with a piece of meat, as he looked at the name on it, his angry expression turned to relief. "...hit me in the fact.

Pavel then immediately rushed up the ramp. Veronica looked at him, and snapped her fingers. "Dang it!"

Meanwhile, Sawyer pulled a piece up from the depths, and Brynleigh immediately grabbed onto it. "Hey, let go!"

"Never!" Brynleigh yelled, trying to pry it from her hands. After a struggle, Brynleigh's grip on the piece releases and both fly in separate directions. Sawyer then quickly flipped Brynleigh off and ran towards the ramp. Brynleigh smirked as she turned away and began searching again, finding another piece, and returning to the ramp.

"Finally," Charlie sighed, holding up a piece of meat that says 'Kiko' on it. He then hobbled over to the ramp, and looked up at it. He winced slightly and began to pull himself up the ramp.

"How will I ever find a piece here?" Veronica groaned before picking up a random piece of meat. "No matter, I shall simply pick this one and go!"

"Wait, Roni!" Remi called, holding up a piece. "Take this one instead!"

"No, I shall trust my intuition!" Veronica said, as she made her way to the wall.

"Alright, guess I'll take this one…" Remi shook his head and ran behind her.

As he climbed the wall, Charlie winced every time he put weight on his bad leg, and right as he reached near the top, he crumpled on his bad leg and fell down the wall. Around this time, Sawyer and Brynleigh had taken their spots in fourth and fifth.

"Alright, Roni, you got this?" Remi said as they looked at the wall.

"Oh, Remi, naturally!" Veronica chuckled as she grabbed the rope and immediately slipped.

Remi sighed as he grabbed the rope and pulled it tight. "Take this one!"

"Well, alright then!" Veronica said, climbing slowly up the rope and taking a spot on the sixth kneeler.

At this point, Charlie had begun to pull himself up using only his arms, sliding slowly up the wall. Remi then quickly grabbed the rope and hoisted himself up, narrowly beating Charlie to the spot. Charlie sighed, and continued to pull himself up.

"Hey, sorry dude," Remi said, offering Charlie a hand.

"No worries, it just wasn't for me," Charlie sighed as he took Remi's hand and pulled himself up.

"Alright, party people! Who'd you bring to me?" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple exclaimed.

Everyone then revealed they brought the same name: Kiko.

"Correct! Kiko successfully runs a Vtuber channel under her own name!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple announced. "That mean that Charlie, you have been eliminated from this competition!"

Charlie slid down the ramp slowly.

Brynleigh: "I've got a foolproof strategy going into this!" She giggled slightly. "If I just try to wrestle pieces out of people's hands, I'll be able to get the right answer every time without having to know anything! I love being so smart!"

Charlie: "I won't lie, I am disappointed in myself for continuing to not pull my weight in these physical challenges. I do hope that Ichabod is able to pull out a win, and he's more than capable of doing so, but it still feels bad."

"Next round!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple continued. "Which person has extensive knowledge of Gallereaux culture? Go!"

The cast then slide down the ramp again to look. Veronica looked around, grabbing the first piece of meat next the the slide, and immediately climbed back up.

"Roni?" Remi looked up at her.

"Trust me!" Veronica yelled back.

Remi sighed and went back to searching. As he ran, he avoided Sawyer and Brynleigh, who were once again fighting over another piece of meat.

"What is wrong with you?!" Sawyer yelled. "Get your own, freeloader!"

"Hm, alright!" Brynleigh let go of the piece of meat, causing Sawyer to fly backwards into the yellow liquid. "Have fun!"

Sawyer groaned bitterly as she stood up, looked at the piece of meat, and rushed back up the wall to take the second spot. Brynleigh began searching for another piece. Meanwhile, across the pond, Ichabod finds his piece with the name 'Flick' on it, and smugly grins, rushing back to the wall to take the third spot.

"This challenge is quite easy," Ichabod said as he sat down.

"Yes, quite," Sawyer nodded. "However, it appears I have beaten you here, quite a shame."

"It is not over until it is over," Ichabod laughed slightly.

Meanwhile, Brynleigh searched through the pool for a piece of meat. She looked quickly picked one up, and began to dash back to the ramp, only to slip back down. Pavel looked down at her, clutching a piece of his own.

"Having fun?" Pavel smirked.

"Shut up," Brynleigh huffed.

Pavel then pushed Brynleigh up the ramp, and followed behind her to take the fourth and fifth kneeler.

"Any luck, Remi?" Orson asked, looking around the pool near the ramp. Remi looked around silently, ignoring Orson. "Huh. I see."

As the two searched, Orson found a piece of meat, grabbed it, and slowly pulled himself up the wall. As he did, Remi found one as well and rushed to the wall. As he scaled the wall, however, Orson had already taken a spot at the last kneeler, leaving Remi to sit on the side.

"Alright dudes, who'd ya bring?" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple asked.

Veronica, Ichabod, Pavel, Orson, and Remi revealed Flick, while Sawyer and Brynleigh revealed Toby.

"Aww, dang! Sorry Sawyer and Brynleigh, you both answered wrong!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple exclaimed. "That means, you're both out! Remi, you're still in the game!"

"Sweet!" Remi pumped his fist.

"Aw, what the hell!" Brynleigh exclaimed. "You were supposed to know the answer!"

"Copying me I see?" Sawyer crossed her arms. "I knew this challenge would be a bunch of frivolous nonsense, and not worth wasting the time on."

Sawyer: "Ultimately, it should be obvious that hobbies of other people in this game do not matter to me, and I do not feel bad for not getting to know them. Time is money, and I like money a lot."

Remi: "Honestly, I'm relieved that they messed up, as crappy as that is to say, because that means that I get to keep going! Second chances are rare, and I can't let an opportunity like that go to waste!"

"Let's try a tougher one!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple decided. "Find me the piece of meat who claimed the first Pizza Slice in the opening challenge! Go!"

The five contestants slid down the pineapple-juice ramp and searched through the pineapple syrup for the appropriate name.

"Come on, he has to be around here somewhere," Orson murmured to himself as he sorted through several pieces of sausage.

"Nng... It should have been me, not him," Ichabod murmured as he located a piece of steak that bore Peter's name. He headed back to the ramp and climbed a rope.

"Oh, look at Ichabod finding the right one, how lucky of him!" Veronica called out. "Oh, well how about that, I found one." She held up a ham and then headed for the ropes.

Pavel and Remi broke off to a further part of the pool, searching together.

"We have to make sure both of us find a Peter before Orson can," Pavel established.

"Yo, are we conspiring?" Remi asked. "That's some classic Total Drama."

"Call it what you want, but I don't want the Red Pair winning," Pavel said.

"I mean hey, me neither," Remi agreed.

The two tossed aside all the pieces of meat that bore different names. Meanwhile, Orson kept to himself in another corner of the pool.

"If those two see fit to work together in order to eliminate me, then I must be doing something right," Orson told himself, perturbed.

The three boys searched and searched. Eventually, Orson located a cheeseburger with Peter's name on it, smiled to himself, and climbed up the ramp.

Remi peered over his shoulder to see Orson ascending back to the kneelers. "Dang it. Whoever finds one first is gonna have to take it."

Pavel glanced at the rotisserie chicken with Peter's name he'd been holding onto. "Sorry to break it to you."

"Fair enough, man," Remi conceded.

Pavel trudged through the syrup and back to the ramp. Eventually, Remi found something and took it up the ramp as well, standing next to all the occupied kneelers.

"Alright, gang!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple announced. "Show me whatcha brought!"

Everyone's piece of meat bore Peter's name, sans Veronica, whose piece had Jenna's name.

"Whoa! The correct answer is Peter! Sorry Veronica, that means you're out. Remi, once again, you're safe!"

"Whew. I mean, I'll take it," Remi commented.

"I won't!" Veronica cried. "Remi, this means I'm out!"

"It's all good, Roni," Remi assured her. "I can still win it for both of us."

"Perhaps," Veronica acknowledged. "However, I wanted to win! Me!"

Veronica: "Honestly, I had thought it was Sawyer who found the first piece. I had completely forgotten about the Oyster Gray Pair, or whoever they were. That whole challenge seems like so long ago; I was so different back then. Nothing like the confident, brave, rambunctious woman you see before you now!"

Orson: "It does hurt, seeing friends of mine like Pavel go out of his way to make sure I lose the challenge. I wonder if this is how Charlie felt when Pavel betrayed him. Maybe I should have seen it coming, given the precedent, but I had faith in Pavel. ...That might be where I went wrong."

"Listen up, bros!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple called. "For this round, bring me the meat naming the player who's more commonly known by Cherry! Go!"

The players slid down the ramp and began their search.

"I will be quite content to never smell nor taste pineapple again after this challenge," Ichabod grunted.

"If you don't want to taste Pineapple, then you'd better win this one!" Remi grinned.

"Is that a threat?" Ichabod glowered.

"Huh? Oh, nah, just... y'know... friendly banter," Remi promised.

"I do not take threats idly," Ichabod stated. "Particularly in settings where my abilities are on display. You would do well to keep that in mind."

"Uh, yeah, sure bro, keep the faith," Remi chuckled awkwardly.

On the other side of the pool, Pavel sifted through syrup until he found a meatball with Alex's name on it.

"Sweet!" he grinned.

Just before he could pick it up, however, Orson swiped the item and headed for the ramps.

"Hey!" Pavel objected. "I found that first, you jackass!"

"Your partner tried to steal from mine. Fair's fair, no?" Orson said, not even bothering to look at Pavel.

"She stole from me way back in the first challenge!" Brynleigh called out.

"Stay mad," Sawyer scoffed.

"Just because Brynleigh tried it doesn't mean it ain't dirty!" Pavel accused, following after Orson.

"Are you going to get mad at me?" Orson asked, having made it to the ramp. "More so than you already seem to be, that is. The way you were mad at Charlie before."

"It's awfully fuckin' tempting," Pavel snarled.

"Focus, bro!" Remi called out. He made his way to the ramp with his own piece of meat in hand.

Pavel balled his fists, then returned his attention to the various pieces of meat scattered around the pool of yellow syrup.

"Hmph. I know the answer to be Alex, yet I cannot find her name anywhere," Ichabod frowned. He held up a brisket and a strip of bacon, each with Dede's name on it. "Of course, my erstwhile ally seems to follow me even beyond the game."

After another minute or so of searching, Pavel found a piece of meat he was content with. He raced to the ramp and climbed the rope. Ichabod sighed, found a piece, and climbed the rope.

"Alright, dudes!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple announced. "Whaddaya got for your boy?"

Each contestant revealed a piece of meat with Alex's name on it.

"The correct answer is indeed Alex!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple confirmed. "Ichabod, since you showed up last, that means you're out!"

"Tch," Ichabod reacted before sliding down the ramp.

Ichabod: "Veronica may be bitter that I called her out on relying on luck to win, but luck is a much larger factor in many of these challenges than I wish it were. If it weren't, I wholeheartedly believe that the Mushroom Blue Pair would have won even more of them than we already have. No matter. I must simply play around the circumstances."

Pavel: "That sonuva bitch! Orson totally went there on purpose. After I confided in him about how bad I felt about the Charlie situation! If he can't face the consequences of his own actions, then he's just a coward. Plain and simple!"

"Dudes! It's time for your next question!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple exclaimed. "This time, bring me the player who is the keyboardist for the band Femmebot. Go!"

The three slid down the ramp again and began searching. Orson ran to one corner while Pavel and Remi ran to another.

"Who are we even lookin' for?" Pavel asked, sifting through the piles of meat.

"Man, I wish I knew," Remi scratched his head. "I feel like I should know, I'm the music guy!"

The two looked over to Orson, who was looking intently at each piece of meat he picked up before throwing it behind him.

"Man, he seems to know what he's lookin' for," Pavel said as he kept pushing aside different cuts of meat. "If I didn't know any better…"

As he said this, Orson immediately picked up a sausage with the name 'Panic' on it, and rushed towards the ramp.

"...Panic!" Pavel yelled, and began feverishly looking.

"I already am, man!" Remi yelled back.

"No I–hmm…" Pavel caught himself and shook his head, continuing to search.

"Oh wait," Remi said to himself, and also began to search.

Pavel then unearthed a hamburger patty from the pool, and sprinted back up to the kneelers and took his space next to Orson.

"Aw, crap," Remi sighed, and picked up a random piece of meat.

"That was fast!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple exclaimed. "What'd y'all bring back?!"

The two revealed pieces of meat with Panic's name on them.

"Correct! Panic is the keyboardist in the band Femmebot!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple announced. "Sorry, Remi! You've been eliminated."

Remi sadly slid down the ramp into the pool below, leaving only Orson and Pavel remaining.

"Aw, man! I'm sad now!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple sniffled. "Y'know, it feels like it was only a few minutes ago when we had so many more people up here to party with! Now we're down to just two!"

"That's because it was a few minutes ago," Orson pointed out.

"Well, I know how to make myself a bit happier!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple exclaimed. "One last question! This time, you will bring me the name of the person who has won two challenges! Get going!"

Orson and Pavel slid down the ramp one last time before splitting off in separate directions.

"I think I know the answer to this," Orson said to himself. "I simply must find his name."

"Freakin' pain in the ass is who this is," Pavel muttered.

The two continued searching, combing the area around the area before meeting up in the same pool in the center of the arena. The two noticed a steak with the name 'Lazarus' on it, before diving for it. When the two emerged from the pool, they were both holding the steak.

"Man, let go of it!" Pavel exclaimed, trying to wrench it from Orson's hands.

"I need to know that there is safety for my team if I do," Orson said, clearly struggling.

"Oh yeah?" Pavel chuckled. "And why should I do that? Y'all haven't wanted to work with us once!"

"Well, if you let go, then perhaps I can consider giving the Pineapple to the Purple team instead," Orson offered. "As a bit… of a truce offer."

"I'll tell ya what, 'considering' ain't good enough for me!" Pavel exclaimed as he began to pull the steak away from Orson. "I wouldn't trust what you got to say anyway!"

As he said this, he managed to pull the steak from Orson's grip, causing him to fall back into the pool. Pavel then ran to the final kneeler at the top of the ramp and knelt down on it.

"Alright! What'd ya bring?!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple asked.

"I brought Lazarus," Pavel announced.

"That is correct!" Samadhi the Primo Pineapple exclaimed. "Good job, Pavel! You have won the challenge for Sausage Brown!"

"Fuck yeah, let's go!" Brynleigh cheered from the sidelines, before blowing a raspberry at Sawyer and poking her nose. "In your face!"

"You didn't win anything," Sawyer spat, looking down at Brynleigh. "Feel lucky your partner is not entirely worthless."

"And that's the challenge!" Chef said. "Sausage Brown's won the Pineapple, and yall have until this evening to decide who to use it on! Dismissed!"

Orson: "Pavel's refusal to come to a deal with me says a lot about what he is planning on doing with this Pineapple. Quite unfortunate, really. I thought I had put in a decent amount of work into that relationship, but I suppose I was wrong. Perhaps I need to spend some time rehabilitating my image in the eyes of others…"

Pavel: "Feels good to win this challenge, especially so close to the end, and especially especially because I feel like there was a good shot we got the Pineapple if we lost. I know I got a pretty good idea of who I'm wantin' to use it on, but I gotta make sure Brynleigh's on board too."

Brynleigh: Brynleigh stood in the confessional, dancing around in a party hat. "Aw yeah, let's go! Haha! Fuck them! I won again! Screw you, losers!"

Sawyer arranged a meeting with Ichabod at The Fast Food Festa.

"You're early," Sawyer noted, impressed.

"Punctuality displays basic respect," Ichabod claimed.

"Well at least someone respects me!" Sawyer said. "But that's not the point. Or maybe it is, because your partner seems to have none for my pair, and I'd rather not let it become a concern."

"Heaven forbid someone in our alliance disrespect someone else," Ichabod frowned.

"Shifting blame is never cute, Ichabod," Sawyer twitched. She unwrapped a lollipop and stuck it in her mouth. "We need to ensure we have each other's backs going forward, because Brown sure as hell won't, and Purple aren't exactly reliable. I didn't orchestrate a split vote to send the easiest-to-beat pair into the Half n' Half for fun, you know."

"Do you deny personal disdain towards Panic having anything to do with it?" Ichabod asked.

"It didn't have nothing to do with it, but the main idea was to make sure you and Charlie stayed in the game," Sawyer leered. "It's all about maintaining control, which is what you and I have both been striving for, yes?"

"Sawyer, I am aware that you are no fool. For whose benefit are you pretending to be one?" Ichabod accused.

"Excuse me?" Sawyer twitched.

"You speak of maintaining control, yet you pretend as though you have any desire to share it," Ichabod stated. "As though you haven't spent the entirety of the game proclaiming your perceived superiority over everybody else, including your own partner."

"Tch. And you haven't?" Sawyer retorted.

"Shifting blame is not cute, as they say," Ichabod continued. "Nor is this patronizing display wherein you expect me to believe you have my best interests at heart in any capacity. I believe you needed my vote for the previous two rounds. Given who's left, I can even see a world where you need my vote for this round. Perhaps you genuinely do. But do not spit in my face by accusing me of being stupid enough to believe that you hold an iota of regard about me. Were that the case, it would not have taken this long for us to hold discussions in the first place."

"Please! You had your little group from day one and everyone knows it!" Sawyer argued. "Why do you think all the other pairs grouped up when we did? You were never subtle, Ichabod. People know you're Mr. High-and-Mighty, and that's why you've been sent into two duels and had two Pineapples used on you."

"I have never once denied my abilities," Ichabod claimed.

"No, but you denied mine, and that's why it took this long for us to work together," Sawyer debated. "So get the hell off your high horse, pretending like we both don't know what's really going on. We need each other, whether we like it or not. Plain and simple. It's not fun, but effective business rarely is." She held out her hand, offering a shake. "I give you my word. Will you offer yours in return?"

Ichabod snorted. "If I'm not mistaken, Alex, Lazarus, Jenna, and Panic had your word as well. I will do whatever is best for my game. What I deem to be best for my game will be determined when the opportunity for action arises. And if Charlie distrusts Orson and yourself, after having spoken highly of Orson before, then I have a good idea of where I stand currently."

"Oh, enough with Orson!" Sawyer snapped. "This is between you and me, Ichabod!"

"I've said what I need to say to you," Ichabod told her. He turned around and walked away.

Sawyer stood there, eyes wide and mouth agape, with her hand still extended.

Sawyer: "The absolute audacity. After I sacrificed an easy-to-beat team to keep the Blue Pair around!" She fiddled with a lollipop stick. "Tch, no matter. He'll see what needs to be done. The Brown and Purple Pairs certainly aren't going to be of any help to him! He needs me just as much- No, more than I need him!"

Ichabod: "If Charlie truly has made amends with Pavel, and I've truly made mine with Remi, then even those tenuous connections should prove more reliable than what the Pepperoni Red Pair could possibly have to offer me. With the Sausage Brown Pair in possession of the Pineapple, staying on their good side seems the far more logical course of action. ...As realistic as staying on Pavel's and Brynleigh's good side can possibly be, at any rate."

Meanwhile, Orson peered into the cast quarters where he spied Charlie sitting in a chair, seemingly muttering to himself. Orson walked into the room and Charlie immediately straightened up.

"Oh, hi Orson," Charlie avoided eye contact.

"Can we talk?" Orson asked.

"About what? The Pineapple?" Charlie responded.

"I suppose we could," Orson replied. "But I more was thinking the state of the game at large and where we're at moving forward.

Charlie looked around awkwardly. "Um, sure man." Orson then took a seat on the couch next to the chair Charlie sat in.

"Is our relationship in this game still good?" Orson inquired, staring directly at Charlie.

"I mean, I think so," Charlie affirmed. "Our alliance is still going on, I'd say."

"You and I both know that is not the full story," Orson countered. "I can tell that you are unhappy with me, I imagine because of the night before, but I assure you that I did it for the good of the alliance, and that's all."

"Well, if I'm being honest, I didn't really like how messy things got there, and it's hard for me to understand why you were so cold towards Panic's feelings."

"It's the way the game goes, Charlie, people have to go home," Orson maintained. "I figured everyone would understand that much.

Charlie sat back in his chair and looked at Orson. "I understand that everyone has to leave eventually, but it doesn't have to end with people being utterly decimated and in tears."

"If Panic takes things that seriously, then that's on them," Orson shook his head. "I can't account for what everyone's reactions can be to any little thing. I haven't done anything wrong."

"Well wrong is subjective–" Charlie began before being interrupted.

"Similarly to how you feel like you do not understand my reasoning, I do not understand why everyone seems to be so upset with my game move," Orson retorted.

"The way that you're looking at this is just not at all how I look at this game," Charlie groaned. "I don't think we see very eye to eye here."

"How so?" Orson inquired.

"Moves are necessary, but not at the expense of someone's feelings, in my eyes it's just not worth it," Charlie asserted.

"Do you intend on winning the game?" Orson suddenly asked.

"Well, um, yeah," Charlie stammered. "I would like to win the game if possible."

"If you do not make moves, then you cannot win this game," Orson frowned. "Eventually, everyone except the winner will be eliminated. It's just the reality of this game."

Charlie exhaled awkwardly and looked away.

"I believe that this conversation is not really productive, and we don't seem to be seeing eye to eye," Orson sighed. "If you'll excuse me."

Orson then stood up and awkwardly walked out of the room, leaving Charlie sitting alone again.

Charlie: "I feel like my worries have been confirmed, and Orson really doesn't seem to care about what he's done to people in this game. That's just not something I can support. You know, I feel like I might've known this for a while, but I just didn't wanna believe it. Having this conversation with Orson though did help me make a decision. Maybe it's time to make a move in this game, and flip on Orson and Sawyer."

Orson: "This conversation did not satiate any desire I have to have my thought process be validated. Although this reaffirms to me my connection with the Blue Team is faltering. This is very frustrating, honestly. If even the people I sought to protect are turning on me… then why should I continue to do so?"

Sawyer leaned against the big Burger Boy statue in the center of the plaza when Veronica hurried up to her.

"Ah! Sawyer! Just the woman I've been seeking!" Veronica enthused.

"Not the first time I've heard that, but you're a bit late," Sawyer smirked.

"Late for what?" Veronica asked. "The Pineapple Ceremony doesn't begin for another few hours."

Sawyer sighed. "What do you want to talk to me about?"

"...Oh, right!" Veronica recalled. "You see, it's no secret that I've made excellent strides to better acquaint myself with a more squalid lifestyle than I've grown accustomed to. Yet nobody seems to recognize the effort I've put in!"

"Yes," Sawyer responded.

"And I've been thinking: if even Remi and Brynleigh, my two poorest friends, don't think I'm living up to my goals, then I must be doing something wrong!" Veronica cried. "But surely not, right? I've gotten myself dirty. Dressed in casual apparel. Eaten fast food. What more do they want from me?!"

"Why are you asking me this?" Sawyer prodded.

"Because you are a strong, confident, self-made woman!" Veronica explained. "I'm just like you in a lot of ways, if you really think about it."

Sawyer scoffed. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, here."

"Granted, you haven't put in as much effort to integrate with the common folk as I have, but-"

"Okay, you listen here," Sawyer interrupted. "You of all people do not get to walk up to me and discredit my game. I have busted my ass to make sure I've made it this far. The only reason you've stuck around this long is a distressing combination of Remi carrying you, your pair never being a big threat, and yes, that sheer dumb luck that always seems to follow you."

"Not you too!" Veronica cried.

"Yeah, me too!" Sawyer doubled down. "You are the most oblivious person I have ever met, and boy howdy, that is saying something! If the sheer possibility that you and I are anything alike even came close to crossing your mind, then it really just showcases how little you actually understand about anything going on at any given time!"

"That's... That's certainly not true," Veronica smiled as tears stung the edges of her eyes.

"Veronica, if you were even close to worth my time, I would have eliminated you by now," Sawyer claimed. "Now go back to pretending like your quirky little vacation is going to have any lasting effects on you or anyone else. I did not ask to be bothered."

Veronica's mouth trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks. "F-Fine then!" She ran off.

Sawyer looked around to see several passersby staring at her. "It's none of your business!"

Sawyer: "Veronica truly is not worth my time, and she really should not be worth my anger. And here we are. It's almost like she went out of her way to say the rudest, least necessary possible things to me! And I'll be god damned if I'm going to let anyone think they can walk up to me and talk to me like that!"

Veronica: She sniffled. "It's alright. Being sad and miserable and lonely and insignificant is a part of the poor experience too. I'm... I'm just... This is all..." She began crying again.

Later, Remi and Pavel met up in front of the Vaguely International Tour to talk..

"Sup, dude?" Remi said, extending his hand out. "That was a tough challenge, but you did it my man!"

"Hell yeah I did," Pavel returned Remi's handshake. "At least it's over, and now we can rest a bit easier knowing the power is in our hands."

"Yessir, that's a massive load off my shoulders," Remi smiled.

After greeting each other, the two headed into the section of the Faire before deciding on a place called "The New Deli", sporting a gigantic Indian flag in the window. The two took a seat outside.

"So, what's your plan now, man?" Remi asked. "Y'know, with the Pineapple and all. Big power."

"Well, I mean, it should be obvious," Pavel smirked. "I do wanna make sure I talk with Brynleigh first though. Even if she sometimes goes rogue and does her own thing, I wanna make sure both our voices get heard."

"I respect that, any good partnership is built on communication," Remi concurred. "Hopefully y'all will be on the same page."

"I can't imagine we won't be," Pavel chuckled. "She was literally calling Sawyer a loser when we won, I think she's on the wavelength."

"Yeah, that's true," Remi chuckled as well. "I did have something else I wanted to talk to you about though."

"Yeah, what's up?" Pavel raised an eyebrow.

"At this point, it feels like we're already in sort of a final two together, or I guess final four, y'know what I mean," Remi said awkwardly. "Regardless, you just wanna solidify that now?"

"Y'know, I hadn't really thought about that but I'd say that's a good idea to me," Pavel agreed. "I'm down for us runnin' it to the end together."

"Hell yeah, man!" Remi raised his hand for a high five, which Pavel returned.

"Y'all have been good t' me so I got no reason not to," Pavel explained. "I do appreciate that by the way."

"Oh sure dude, no problem!" Remi smiled. "I figure what's the point in getting all mean and nasty with people, you know?"

"...Well, yeah, I get what you mean," Pavel half sighed. "If only I got that memo sooner in my life, huh?"

"Hey man, it's not too late to try?" Remi hinted.

"Guess not, that's what I'm always told," Pavel shrugged. "Anyway, we only got like a couple challenge to go so I imagine we just gotta win it out, man."

"Absolutely," Remi agreed. "Things hopefully are gonna start to look up, yeah?"

"I sure hope so, Lord knows I need it," Pavel sighed.

Pavel: "Y'know, it's good to have found someone around here who seems to actually be like a genuine guy like Remi is. I wasn't really sure how to approach at first, and figured I may as well keep my guard up, but now we're here after all that time. Still though, it's good to be able to talk to someone without a ton of emotions swirlin' around in my head."

Remi: "I'm pretty surprised I ended up being so close to Pavel, considering how angry he seemed early on in the game. I do admire his drive to fight back so hard after being so far behind in this game, and I hope our final two works out because it'd be a hell of an ending, yeah?"

Brynleigh proudly strutted into Sugari-La, still wearing her party hat from before.

"Today is good," she grinned. "My pair won, and now I get to gorge myself on unhealthy bullshit until I-"

Her monologue was interrupted by the sound of dramatic wailing. Brynleigh's brow wrinkled as she looked around for the culprit, which turned out to be Veronica.

"Tch. I guess they used Himalayan rock salt on her mediocre imported chocolate when she wanted regular sea salt," Brynleigh snickered to herself.

She headed towards Nougatta Be Kidding!, only for Veronica's cries to grow louder and more attention-demanding. Brynleigh stopped in her tracks, groaned, and approached Veronica.

"Alright, what the hell's going on?" Brynleigh demanded.

"Brynleigh! My smartest, most trusted friend!" Veronica blubbered. "Thank goodness you're here!"

"I think the eliminated players could hear you from wherever they're at," Brynleigh said. "What's all the commotion about?"

Veronica responded with a wet sniffle. "Brynleigh, be honest with me: Am I an oblivious tryhard who doesn't know the first thing about being poor and hasn't truly made any notable strides?"

Brynleigh cycled through a menagerie of facial expressions as she chose her response to the question. "Look, I still don't know what this fascination with being poor specifically is about. Trust me, you don't want to be poor. Maybe everyone is poor compared to whatever comical Baudelaire fortune you're going to inherit amounts to, but not being able to reliably say you'll be able to afford enough food or gasoline for the month kinda fucking sucks actually."

"Well, being rich isn't as nice as everyone thinks either!" Veronica huffed. "At least you've had the chance to go out there, make your own decisions, meet your own friends. After Total Drama is over, I..."

"Yeah, that's not a poor thing, that's a not-your-family-specifically thing," Brynleigh told her. "Honestly? You are kinda out-of-touch. If you want to enjoy Total Drama, fine, but-"

"Hello, you two," Orson smiled as he approached the girls.

"Not now, bozo. We're in the middle of something!" Brynleigh admonished.

"Well, I would hope that, as the Pineapple holder of this round, you would be a bit more open to hearing potential applications that may feed into grander, long-term plans," Orson frowned. "In fact, I-"

"Uh, I'm using it on you and Sawyer. Duh," Brynleigh scoffed. "Nothing you say is going to change that."

"What if I told you that-"

"Nothing!" Brynleigh repeated. "N-U-T-H-I-N-G!"

Orson's face hardened. "Fine then. You two continue to bond about your absent fathers, or whatever it is you were talking about. I'll see if Pavel is smart enough to engage with me."

"Ex-fucking-scuse me?!" Brynleigh snapped as Orson turned around and walked away. "Uh, no! You don't get to just drop that and then walk away like you deserve the last word!"

"Sorry, I was under the impression that nothing I said would change your mind," Orson said coldly. "If you're going to be standoffish and rude, at least own up to it instead of acting on your deep-seated insecurities regarding how unlovable you believe yourself to be."

Brynleigh stood still, mouth agape, as Orson left. Veronica put a hand on her shoulder.

"Shall we share an oversized gummy bear to help us get through the pain together, bestie?" she offered.

Brynleigh wrenched her shoulder out of Veronica's grasp. "No!" She quickly wiped tears from her eyes. "I, uh... I'd rather just be alone right now."

Veronica gave Brynleigh a hug. "If that's what you wish. But know that I have your back, just as you had mine before he showed up."

Brynleigh stared at the floor.

Brynleigh: "Look, Orson's a chode, and he's probably never even kissed a girl before. If he wants to take up Sawyer's mantle of being the game's biggest bully, then I don't really care! Everyone else in the game has caught up to my level and hates the Red Pair now, so those two will be gone next anyway!"

Orson: "I came into this game wanting to find out who I was. And I thought I found it! When I realized I could make clever plays in this game, it all... It all just made sense! Using my skills of observation and problem-solving abilities to succeed. But everyone seems to have rejected it in toto, and for seemingly arbitrary reasons. If people like Panic, Brynleigh, and Veronica can be so brazenly themselves, then why not me? What's the determining factor?"

Veronica: "Ha! Shows what Orson knows! My father is not absent! He has never once missed an important gathering, no matter how far away from home it may be!" She frowned. "Of course, Brynleigh was this close to telling me where my own problems went wrong. Only for that jerk to upset her and make her lose her train of thought! Honestly, how inconsiderate!"

That evening, as they walked to the ceremony, Pavel called out to Brynleigh, who was walking obliviously in front of him.

"Hey, Bryn!" Pavel yelled.

"Huh?" Brynleigh looked back to see Pavel waving at her. "Oh, you."

Brynleigh stopped and Pavel quickly caught up to her. "We're heading to the ceremony now, and we haven't even talked about who we wanna use the Pineapple on," Pavel said.

"Do we really even need to talk about it?" Brynleigh raised an eyebrow. "If you seriously don't know by now, then you've been under a rock this whole time!"

"Well shit man, fair enough," Pavel stifled a laugh. "They really dug their own graves man, it's shocking.

"Yeah, finally!" Brynleigh smiled deviously. "Those two shitters have sucked ass this entire time, and just now people are starting to get it!"

"You know, they've both always been sorta strange if you think about it," Pavel said. "Never could put my finger on it, but still."

"Sorta strange?" Brynleigh scoffed. "They bonded over ties. Like, the clothing!"

"Yeah, you're right," Pavel smiled. "I wish I'd noticed this earlier, but I guess it's never too late to start, as they say.

"That's the spirit!" Brynleigh smacked Pavel on the back. "Hate them with me! Let it flow into your veins!"

"Sure thing, man," Pavel snickered. "Alright, let's stick it to 'em."

"Gladly!" Brynleigh marched forward towards the ceremony.

Pavel: "Finally the two of us are on the same damn page with something for once, and y'know, it only took… nearly the entire freakin' game! Hey, it's something, I'll take it. Small steps still lead forward, after all."

Brynleigh: Brynleigh stood in the confessional, dancing yet again. "You are going home! You are going home! Losers! Yippee!" Brynleigh blew a raspberry to the camera.

The cast gathered in front of the statue in the center of the plaza. Chef and Chris stood before them, grinning eagerly.

"Welcome... to this round's Pineapple Ceremony," Chef began.

"It sure has been one pineapple-filled day, eh Chef?" Chris snickered.

"Right you are, Chris," Chef agreed. "And tonight, one pair is going to leave with the stink of Pineapple still lingering upon them."

"Oh, enough with the buildup," Sawyer sneered. "We all know what's going to happen. Some people just can't control their own jealousy."

"Looks like some people can't control their own PATIENCE, neither!" Chef scolded. "Now, the Sausage Brown Pair have won today's challenge, and have the sole decision on which pair will suffer a disadvantage in tomorrow's Invincibility Challenge."

"Brynleigh, Pavel. Care to do the honors?" Chris allowed.

"With pleasure!" Brynleigh laughed.

"This one's not really gonna come as any kind of surprise," Pavel said. "We're using the Pineapple on..."

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

"Orson and Sawyer."

Orson nodded. "I suppose you truly have chosen to fit in with the crowd at the cost of our friendship. Though, you always did have a desperate desire to fit in, despite your temperament."

"Tch. If you think I'm gonna fall for bait like that, then you really do need a reality check," Pavel twitched. "Especially if you're gonna use 'betraying friendship' like it means a damn thing to you."

"Hah, yeah! What kind of loser would take anything BOREson has to say personally!" Brynleigh mocked.

"You're surprisingly quiet, Sawyer," Ichabod noted.

"Because I have nothing to say," Sawyer smirked. "Everyone knows that this is the Brown Pair's only chance of coming close to beating me. Which is rich, of course, because I will win tomorrow's challenge anyway, and show them and the world why I am not to be fucked with."

"I, uh, admire your confidence," Remi complimented.

"If there ain't nothin' more to say, then that concludes the Pineapple Ceremony!" Chef announced. "See y'all tomorrow for the real... well, it ain't gonna be meat n' potatoes this round, but y'all know what I mean. Dismissed!"

Sawyer: "Orson and Sawyer... He said Orson and Sawyer! The audacity, putting anyone's name before mine, let alone goddamn Orson! What has he done to warrant that, hm?! Taking credit for one, one move! A move that didn't even seem to work out in his favor, since everyone hates him now!" She strangled the air in front of her. "But no matter. I will take things back into my own hands. Because I am the boss."

Orson: "It's a shame that things are progressing the way they are, but it's not unheard of for people to target those they feel the most threatened by." He frowned, shaking his head. "And if people wish to see me as a threat, then I will not hold back in my pursuit of victory. I know Sawyer shares my sentiment."

Pavel: "I mean, this definitely ain't the first time I've had to face the fact that someone I trusted just isn't any good to keep around. It always hurts, but it always pays off in the long term. I've heard about the stuff those two have been sayin' to Brynleigh and the others, too. So like hell am I just going to let that abide!"

Chef and Chris remained by the statue after the contestants left.

"Y'know, I always did like the endgame of these things," Chef claimed. "Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Everyone's out for blood once that million bucks comes closer n' closer, heh heh."

"It's crazy just what kind of stuff these kids will do for a life-changing monetary gain," Chris agreed."

"Who'll win tomorrow's challenge?" Chef asked. "Who's gonna end up in the Half n' Half Challenge, n' who's gonna be the next pair to go home? Find out next time! On Total! Drama! Pizza Party!"

Pepperoni Red Pair:

Sawyer - The Businesswoman

Orson - The Ordinary Guy

Onion Purple Pair:

Veronica - The Sheltered Heiress

Remi - The Superfan Drummer

Sausage Brown Pair:

Pavel - The Reformed Gangster

Brynleigh - The Brat

Mushroom Blue Pair:

Charlie - The Aspiring Therapist

Ichabod - The Terse Perfectionist

Jalapeno Green Pair:

Jenna - The Last-Second Recruit

Panic - The Disillusioned Punk

Bacon Pink Pair:

Lazarus - The Offbeat Hippie

Alex - The Friendly Actress

Cheese Yellow Pair:

Dede - The Retro Romantic

Sunshine - The Lover of All

Anchovy Gray Pair:

Peter - The Surly Cynic

Aoi - The Complacent Model

Not Picked:

Flick - The Isekai Survivor

Jacqueline - The Proud Nerd

Kiko - The Mushroom VTuber

Toby - The Optimistic Reporter

A/N:

Asujoll: Thus kicks off what I'd call the third act of the season. Like Chef said, with the end in sight and only so many people to gun for, tensions are only going to get higher. While of course this whole season has been a blast to write, I'm really looking forward to the big climactic moments of the lategame. Hopefully you guys are, too!

Max: Another episode down, and one step closer to the end. The cast really is going to be feeling the heat from here, it seems! This episode was largely about tensions arising among the cast that will all be coming to a head very soon, and I hope that it was enjoyable to read! Thanks for reading and stay tuned as we head into the endgame!