"Last time on Total Drama: World Domination! we took our fearless, fame-hungry contestants to the Atacama Desert for a little game I like to call Desert Duel. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The Fearless Flyers navigated collapsing bridges and team drama like pros, with Jasmine and Heather fighting for control the whole way."

The screen cuts to a shot of Jasmine glaring at Heather during the sandstorm while Zoey and Bowie scramble to solve a puzzle.

"And over with the Soaring Sharks, it was the Sky vs. Courtney show," Chris continued, as footage of Courtney barking orders and Sky rolling her eyes flashes by. "Sky took charge, Courtney wasn't having it, and Brick got stuck somewhere in the middle."

The montage shifts to a clip of the Sharks dodging arrows in the pressure plate corridor, with Axel shouting, "I got this!" right before setting off a trap.

"Meanwhile, the Daring Ducks did what they do best—barely function as a team but somehow survive by pure, dumb luck." The footage shows Owen tripping over Wayne and accidentally finding a hidden shortcut.

"Unfortunately for the Ducks, even chaotic luck couldn't save Julia from getting the boot when her controlling attitude finally caught up to her." The scene cuts to Julia falling through the trapdoor, screaming, "It's JULIA, GODDAMIT!"

Chris chuckled. "And now, the stakes are higher. The Sharks are cracking under pressure, the Flyers are building momentum, and the Ducks? Let's just say, they're waddling their way through chaos. What's next? A Temple of Doom adventure, a reward up for grabs, and—oh yeah—a little team swap twist to keep things interesting. Who will thrive, who will break, and who will end up in a llama chase? Stick around to find out, right here on Total. Drama. WORLD DOMINATION!"

Theme Song:

The Total Drama Express barrels through various terrains—icy mountains, dense jungles, and bustling cities—plumes of steam trailing behind. The contestants lean out of the windows, bickering and dodging obstacles.

Dear Mom and Dad

I'm doing fine

You guys are on my mind

In the dining car, Owen and Wayne accidentally fling food onto Dakota while juggling plates. Dakota screams in frustration, storming off, while the two laugh uncontrollably. Heather dumps water on Duncan from a train window. Duncan retaliates with a snowball, hitting her shoulder. Heather glares furiously, and Duncan smirks as they both disappear from view.

You asked me what Iwantedto be

And Ithink the answer is plain tosee

I want to be famous

Gwen and Courtney sit in adjacent train seats, clearly annoyed with each other. Gwen plugs her headphones in, turning away, while Courtney furiously scribbles in a notebook, likely plotting something. Suddenly, a bump in the tracks causes Courtney's pencil to go flying, landing in Gwen's lap. Gwen holds it up with a raised eyebrow, her expression flat. Courtney snatches it back with a tight smile, clearly irritated. The tension between them is thick.

I wanna live close to the sun

Well, pack your bags cause I already won

Everything to prove nothing's in my way

Bowie and MK are huddled in the train's storage car, whispering and conspiring over a crudely drawn map of the train. MK smirks as she hands Bowie a small, suspicious-looking device. Bowie grins back, slipping it into his pocket. The camera pans to Chef, who is snooping nearby, narrowing his eyes as he watches them through a crack in the door.

I'll get there one day

Cause I want to be famous

On the train's roof, Zoey wobbles on the icy surface, nearly slipping. Jasmine catches her arm and helps her steady herself. Zoey laughs nervously, and Jasmine pats her on the back before moving forward confidently.

I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be Famous

I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be Famous

The entire cast is gathered on the train roof, with Chris standing at the center, flashing his signature grin. Chef Hatchet looms nearby, holding a frying pan. The train lurches, sending half the cast tumbling as the Total Drama logo appears and the train races into the horizon.

The contestants were waking up to another day of madness aboard the Total Drama Express. As the train sped toward Machu Picchu, conversations and disputes filled the cramped cabins and dining car.

Duncan sat lazily on a top bunk, flicking a playing card between his fingers. Zoey paced nearby, clearly anxious about what lay ahead. Jasmine and Heather were in their usual argument, while Harold and Bowie watched silently.

"Man, you two never shut up," Duncan muttered with a smirk. "It's like reality TV meets a soap opera."

Heather crossed her arms. "Oh, sorry. Did we interrupt your beauty rest, Duncan?"

"Nope." Duncan yawned, tossing the card. "Just waiting for someone to suggest we, I don't know, work together for once."

Jasmine nodded in agreement. "For once, Duncan makes sense."

Heather scoffed but didn't argue. Bowie leaned toward Harold and whispered, "Looks like Duncan's got more brain cells than he lets on."

Confessional: Duncan

"Everyone expects me to just hang back and do nothing, but sometimes the best way to play the game is to let the chaos unfold around you."

The early morning light spilled through the narrow windows of the Total Drama Express, casting golden rays over the scattered bunks, disheveled blankets, and groggy contestants.

The rhythmic clanking of the train on the tracks was like a steady drum, setting the mood for another day of chaos. Inside the train's dining car, tension mixed with the smell of burnt coffee as the contestants began their day with Chef's "breakfast surprise," which was little more than runny eggs and something that vaguely resembled bacon.

Heather sat at a table near the window, swirling her coffee with a bored expression. Across from her, Harold was furiously scribbling notes on a notepad, while Jasmine, Bowie, and Zoey quietly discussed strategy. The team had barely recovered from their previous challenge, and their dynamics were fraying. Heather was quick to make sure her dominance wasn't questioned.

"I'm just saying," Heather drawled, sipping her coffee as if she were a queen on her throne, "if Jasmine hadn't wasted time debating with me last challenge, we would've finished first."

Jasmine rolled her eyes but maintained her composure. "What's more important is that we didn't lose, Heather. Unlike some people, I care about the team." Bowie smirked, leaning back in his seat. "Ooh, it's too early for this, but I'm living for it."

Zoey twirled a strand of her red hair nervously, trying to mediate. "Maybe we should focus on teamwork instead of pointing fingers." Heather waved her off.

"Sure, Zoey. But teamwork only works if everyone knows their place." Harold finally looked up, adjusting his headband. "You know, Heather, your 'place' could be better if you stopped treating us like pawns."

Heather's mouth twitched. "I don't treat anyone like pawns."

"You literally called me 'dead weight' last week," Harold shot back, surprising everyone with his boldness.

Heather narrowed her eyes at Harold but chose not to retaliate—at least, not yet.

Confessional: Harold

"I don't know what came over me, but I'm done letting Heather treat me like I'm invisible. If I have to stand up to her, I will."

Confessional: Bowie

Bowie whistled. "Ooh, Harold's got claws. I like it."

Noah lay flat on a bunk, balancing a book on his chest while MK and Samey sat on the floor playing a card game. Courtney and Sky were, as usual, bickering over who should lead the next challenge.

"We need a plan," Courtney insisted, pacing back and forth. "If this is a puzzle-based challenge, we can't waste time on stupid mistakes."

Sky shot her a glare. "Or we could just not micromanage the entire damn team."

"You're hilarious," Courtney deadpanned.

Noah rolled his eyes. "Oh no, they're fighting again. Someone call a therapist."

Samey chuckled softly. "You get used to it."

MK smirked and dealt another card. "I say we sit back and let them duke it out. We'll still finish ahead of the Ducks."

Noah flipped a page of his book. "True. Watching those two is better than TV."

Confessional: Samey

"I've been trying to stay out of the drama, but with Courtney and Sky constantly fighting, it's kind of hard to avoid."

Anne Maria adjusted her hair in a compact mirror, clearly annoyed by the lack of amenities. "Like, this place is so not spa-friendly. I'm not even sure what's in this air, but my hair hates it."

"Pretty sure that's just ancient dust," Scarlett replied, flipping through her notebook.

"Gross," Anne Maria muttered.

Meanwhile, Damien sat beside Dawn, who was explaining the "spiritual energy" of the ruins they were about to visit. "So… you really believe all that stuff?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Dawn nodded serenely. "The earth remembers everything. You'll feel it too, in time."

Anne Maria snorted. "Yeah, sure. And maybe the llamas are psychic, too."

Wayne and Owen entered the room, laughing and high-fiving after another wrestling match. Damien sighed, shaking his head. "Man, these guys are on another planet."

Confessional: Damien

"I signed up for this to prove I could handle the craziness, but these people are wild. How did I end up on a team with psychic animal whisperers and wannabe WWE champs?"

The train came to a stop at a remote station overlooking the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu. The contestants filed out, taking in the view with varying degrees of awe.

Lindsay gasped, spinning around in excitement. "Oh my gosh, this place is, like, so historical!"

Anne Maria rolled her eyes. "No kidding, genius."

Damien was similarly impressed but tried to stay composed. "This is seriously cool, though. I mean, look at those mountains!"

Chris appeared from behind a stone archway, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Contestants! Welcome to The Temple of Doom!" He gestured dramatically to the crumbling temple in the distance.

Chef pulled away a tarp, revealing a large, exaggerated map of the temple interior. Various sections were marked with danger symbols, including trap doors, puzzle chambers, and a llama stampede zone.

"Today's challenge is simple," Chris continued. "You'll be navigating this ancient deathtrap, solving puzzles, dodging traps, and carrying a stone idol to the temple's center. First team to complete the task wins a sweet reward: an overnight stay in a luxury suite—complete with gourmet meals!"

The contestants cheered, though Noah muttered, "Probably fake luxury knowing Chris."

Chris's grin widened. "Oh, and one more thing—someone from the losing team? Yeah, they're getting swapped to a different team. Good luck!"

The contestants exchanged nervous glances as Chris blew a whistle to start the challenge.

Jasmine took point with the compass, leading the team into the temple's shadowy corridors. Duncan and Harold stuck close behind, keeping an eye out for traps.

"Stay sharp," Duncan warned. "Chris wouldn't make this easy."

Moments later, Anne Maria shrieked as she narrowly avoided stepping on a hidden pressure plate. "Okay, seriously? This place is trying to kill my shoes!"

Heather smirked. "Maybe if you paid attention instead of fixing your hair…"

"Oh, go to Hell, Lanky-Bitch " Anne Maria shot back.

The Flyers entered the temple through a grand stone archway overgrown with vines. The air inside was cool, damp, and filled with the earthy smell of centuries-old stone. Jasmine led the way with the compass, its needle shaking slightly as she tried to orient them.

"This way," she said, gesturing down a dimly lit corridor.

Heather trailed behind her, muttering under her breath. "If this compass is as reliable as Harold's advice, we're doomed."

"Want to take the lead, Heather?" Jasmine snapped without turning around. "Oh, wait—you just want to complain."

Duncan chuckled, walking alongside Harold. "Honestly, I don't care who leads, as long as we don't walk into a booby trap."

The corridor widened into a chamber with a series of crumbling stone platforms suspended over a dark pit. At the other end of the room was a large stone door carved with ancient symbols.

"We need to cross," Jasmine said, stepping onto the first platform cautiously. "One at a time."

Heather sighed dramatically. "Or we could just hurry before this place collapses."

Zoey gave her a pleading look. "Let's not rush and die, okay?"

Duncan stepped forward, balancing carefully on a platform. "I got this. Harold, you come next. If you slip, grab my arm."

Harold nodded, his face pale but determined. He followed Duncan, wobbling slightly as the platform shifted under him. Halfway across, the stone beneath his foot cracked.

"Whoa!" Harold yelped, flailing his arms. Duncan grabbed him just in time and steadied him.

"You good?" Duncan asked.

"Yeah," Harold panted. "Thanks, man."

Confessional: Harold

"Okay, so I almost died. But Duncan helped me. Maybe he's not as much of a slacker as he seems."

Heather crossed the platforms easily, her balance perfect. When she reached the other side, she smirked at Jasmine. "See? Easy."

As they approached the stone door, Bowie noticed the carved symbols. "It's a puzzle lock."

"I'm on it," Harold said confidently, examining the symbols. "These look like representations of the Incan sun god. If we align them—"

Heather sighed loudly. "Are you seriously giving us a history lesson right now?"

"Let him work," Zoey insisted.

Harold pressed a few symbols in sequence, and with a loud clunk, the door creaked open. Jasmine patted him on the back. "Nice job."

"See, Heather?" Harold said with a grin. "Not so useless."

Heather rolled her eyes but didn't respond.

"Wow," she said sarcastically. "Didn't peg you as the heroic type."

"Yeah, well," Duncan replied, stepping onto the creaking bridge, "better me than you."

Confessional: Duncan

"Let's get this out of the way, After getting arrested for allegedly Chris and his stupid house, I've just about had it with letting crap like Love or kindness get in my way! Who cares what people think of me? As lomg as nobody is getting in the way of me and that million, I'll do whatever the hell I want"

Sky led the Sharks through a series of tunnels, stopping when they encountered a pressure plate puzzle. Each tile had an ancient symbol on it, and one wrong step would trigger a trap.

"Okay, think fast," Sky said, analyzing the symbols.

Courtney immediately stepped forward. "I'll handle this."

"Sure you will," Noah muttered. "What could possibly go wrong?"

As Courtney stepped on a plate, an arrow shot out from the wall, narrowly missing her. Sky pulled her back. "Maybe let someone else try?"

MK chuckled from the sidelines. "Looks like Courtney's leadership skills are really paying off."

Samey offered quietly, "Maybe if we work together…"

Courtney sighed, reluctantly allowing Sky to take over. With Samey's help, they successfully solved the puzzle.

The Sharks were moving quickly, but the tension between Courtney and Sky was palpable. MK and Samey walked side by side, exchanging amused glances as they listened to the two argue.

"We should've taken the other path," Courtney said for the third time.

"We're fine," Sky replied, her voice strained with patience.

Ahead of them was a room filled with pressure plates, each carved with different symbols. Some depicted animals, while others displayed abstract shapes. The walls were lined with holes that likely housed darts or arrows.

"We need to find a path across," Sky said. "Only step on the correct plates."

Courtney stepped forward confidently. "I'll figure it out."

"Don't—" Sky tried to warn her, but it was too late.

Courtney stepped on a plate with a snake symbol, triggering a loud click. Arrows shot out from the walls, narrowly missing her head.

Noah snorted. "Great job, Captain Obvious."

MK laughed. "Should we just let Courtney do this the whole way and see how long she lasts?"

Courtney scowled but stepped back, letting Sky take over. "Fine. But if you mess up—"

"Yeah, yeah, it'll be my fault," Sky muttered. She studied the plates carefully. "Samey, help me figure this out. Which symbols repeat the most?"

Samey hesitated but then pointed to the plates with sun symbols. "These. They match the carvings on the entrance."

Sky tested one, and when no traps were triggered, she smiled. "Good eye, Samey."

Confessional: Samey

"Sky actually listened to me! I don't get that a lot. It feels nice. I just wish people would actually call me by my real name, but I think I don't mind being called 'Samey' as much as I used to. At least it's better hearing someone calling me that over my STUPID sister, aka Lamey! Oh, Now THAT should be my nickname for her! Haha, Suck it, amy!"

With Samey's help, the Sharks navigated the room safely. Axel and Brick brought up the rear, keeping an eye out for any last-minute traps.

"Teamwork. Who knew?" Noah quipped as they exited the room.

The Ducks stumbled into the temple with their usual chaotic energy. Owen was leading the charge, treating the ancient structure like an amusement park attraction.

"This place is awesome!" he shouted, sliding down a small incline and landing in a pile of dust.

Anne Maria groaned. "Ugh, watch out! You're kicking dirt into my hair!"

Scarlett, ever the strategist, studied the map. "We need to head east. There's a shortcut through a hidden corridor."

"Or," Wayne said, pointing down a side path, "we could take the super fun way."

Damien crossed his arms. "I vote for the way that doesn't kill us."

Reluctantly, the team followed Scarlett's advice. They soon found themselves in a narrow tunnel filled with bats. The flapping wings and screeching noises made Owen scream.

"BATS! THEY'RE ATTACKING!"

"They're not attacking, Owen," Dawn said calmly. "They're just flying."

Anne Maria swatted the air. "I don't care what they're doing—get them away from me!"

Damien ducked as a bat flew past his head. "How is this my life right now?"

As they emerged from the tunnel, Scarlett spotted something gleaming under a pile of rocks. "A puzzle piece!" she exclaimed, rushing over to retrieve it.

Anne Maria wiped dust from her arms. "Let's hope this shortcut is actually worth it."

It was—because just ahead of them was the final chamber, where the idol awaited.

The Flyers, Sharks, and Ducks converged near the temple's center. The final task was to cross a treacherous room filled with swinging pendulums and retrieve the idol before exiting through a collapsing hallway.

Duncan and Harold worked together to time the pendulums, allowing their team to pass safely. "Move when I say 'go,'" Duncan instructed. "Trust me."

When it was Heather's turn, she hesitated for a second, but Duncan smirked. "What, don't trust me, Heather?"

Heather rolled her eyes but followed his lead and made it across unscathed.

Meanwhile, Sky led the Sharks across, though Courtney tried to outpace her, nearly triggering a pendulum trap. "Slow down!" Sky yelled, pulling her back.

The Ducks, despite their usual chaos, managed to slip past the pendulums. Owen's clumsy fall actually helped them avoid a trap that would've collapsed the floor beneath them.

"Sometimes being clumsy is a good thing!" Owen cheered.

Scarlett rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

Results:

1st - Fearless Flyers [WINNERS - REWARD: LUXURY SUITE]

2nd - Daring Ducks [SAFE]

3rd - Soaring Sharks [LOSE]

The Soaring Sharks gathered in the eerie stone courtyard, their nerves on edge. Chris, standing on a raised platform, grinned mischievously as Chef stood next to him, holding a tray of marshmallows.

Chris twirled the marshmallows in his hand. "Alright, Sharks! You've had a rough day, and now it's time for one of you to take a little detour—to another team. That's right! Tonight's elimination means you're not leaving the game. You're switching teams, and someone from the Ducks will be coming your way."

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the group as they realized this was more than just a typical elimination.

Confessional: Sky

"This is bad. Losing one of us and gaining someone from the Ducks could be disastrous. They're not exactly known for their teamwork."

Chris held up the first marshmallow. "The first marshmallow goes to… Sky."

Sky caught it and nodded.

"Next up: Axel."

Axel grabbed her marshmallow and stayed quiet, her eyes scanning the team for signs of weakness.

"Brick."

Brick saluted and caught his marshmallow, looking relieved.

"Samey."

Samey smiled shyly, her nerves calming as she accepted her marshmallow.

"MK."

MK popped her marshmallow into her mouth with a grin. "Too easy."

Chris held up the final marshmallow, stretching the tension as far as he could. "And the last marshmallow goes to…

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...Courtney."

Courtney sighed in relief and shot Sky a smug look before taking her marshmallow.

That left Noah standing alone.

Confessional: Noah

"Well, this sucks. But at least I'm not out of the game. Just… sent to the chaos dimension known as the Daring Ducks."

Chris stepped forward. "Noah, you've been voted out of the Sharks, but you're not done yet. You're swapping teams—straight to the Daring Ducks. But wait! Who from the Ducks will be joining the Sharks?"

Chef pulled a lever, revealing the Team Swap Wheel. The wheel whirred rapidly as team logos flashed by until it finally stopped on Wayne.

Wayne's eyes widened, and he looked over at Owen, who was visibly crushed. "What?! I'm leaving the Ducks?"

"Nooo!" Owen wailed dramatically, wrapping Wayne in a tight hug. "We were supposed to stick together, dude!"

Confessional: Owen

"Wayne and I are like peanut butter and jelly. Now they're ripping us apart. It's not fair! What's worse? I could really eat a PBJ right now!"

Wayne patted Owen's back. "Relax, bro. I'll rep the Ducks' spirit on the Sharks."

Scarlett, ever the pragmatist, adjusted her glasses. "Honestly, this isn't the worst thing. We could use Noah's sarcasm to counteract Owen's chaos."

Confessional: Scarlett

"With Noah on our team, I think we actually have a shot at stabilizing. Wayne was fun, but let's be honest—he wasn't exactly a strategist."

Noah slung his bag over his shoulder and strolled toward the Ducks' side. "Don't worry, guys. I'll bring my charm and wit to balance out your, uh… let's say eccentric energy."

Chris clapped his hands. "That's it, folks! The Sharks gain Wayne, the Ducks gain Noah, and everyone else? Better keep your alliances tight because things are only going to get messier."

Noah settled into his bunk, already plotting his next move. Owen sat across from him, still mourning Wayne's departure, while Scarlett quietly worked on her notebook.

Dawn sat by the window, sensing the shift in team dynamics. "This change could bring balance if we let it."

Anne Maria scoffed. "Balance, schmalance. As long as we don't lose, I don't care." Wayne tried to adjust to his new team, but the tension between Sky and Courtney was palpable.

"Welcome to the team," Sky said politely.

"Thanks! Let's kick some butt," Wayne replied enthusiastically.

Courtney, however, wasn't as welcoming. "Just stay out of the way and let us handle the strategy."

Wayne scratched his head. "Uh, sure. Whatever you say."

Confessional: Wayne

"First day with the Sharks, and I already miss Owen. But hey, maybe I can score some new alliances here."

As the train sped into the night, Chris leaned against the railing, addressing the camera. "And that's how you shake up the game! Noah's wit meets the Ducks' chaos, and Wayne's enthusiasm is about to clash with the Sharks' egos. What could possibly go wrong? Find out next time on Total. Drama. WORLD DOMINATION!"