Ticket here, and welcome to a longer-than-expected Day 25. We have a reward coming up, plus some shenanigans afterward. New names might get thrown around, but the current gameplay seems based around a war: Gordon's side versus Cyrax's side. It continues to wage on after a rocking blindside at the final eleven. That's all I'll comment on! Don't want to give much away, so here we go!
Reward Challenge
Day 25
"Come on in!"
The top ten hits the sand, as another reward challenge is about to be in the books. It may well be the last team reward for a while, so if there's any time to have these important conversations: it's now.
When they come to a stop, Jeff spills the usual. "Twenty-five days. The first half of you don't even get to see any more rewards, and one of you will join that group tomorrow. Wanna hear what your last reward could be?" He asks, to a little enthusiasm.
"If it's a cake I will lose myself." Peach comments.
"Not YET. This next reward is a little more healthy. Steak Kabobs, ripe for the pickins'." There's..not a big reaction for that. Chun-Li seems like the most excited with a smile on. "Li, you're the only one who's excited for this."
"Anything sounds good now." Li admits. "I love variety on my plate."
Jeff nods, with maybe a little respect for that. "Variety's the spice of life after all." With one clap, he's back on topic. "Alright. Let me stop wasting your time, and let's break this down. You will be splitting into teams. Cyan versus Violet."
New colors!
"For today's challenge, two of you will start tethered together. You'll have to navigate through a few platforms, and climb a wall with barriers that will jump at you." Jeff explains, a new start to one of these challenges. "Once you've scaled the wall, you'll press a button, releasing the next two teammates so they can move onto the next phase."
How many phases will they go through this time?
"The released teammates will dig through a sandpit to find three keys, slipped in bags. They will unlock a box containing a bag of sandbags, and then slide it over to the remaining teammate, who will run it through another short obstacle course. Three targets will pop up after. Then, the tribemates you choose can take turns nailing three targets."
Ah, if it isn't a mishmash of certain challenges.
"First team to hit all their targets, wins reward, and another trip on the boat."
Four phases total for this challenge. First, the tethering. Then the digging and unlocking. THEN the little obstacle course. Then lastly, the targets. Rather long for a reward challenge.
"We'll draw for teams, and get started."
Teams:
Cyan Team: Diana, Chun-Li, Sackboy, Little Mac, and Slade
Violet Team: T'Challa, Cyrax, Gordon, Princess Peach, and Sektor
Back from the draw, and the contestants are elevated, with a few platforms infront of them. They aren't really small jumps either. One slip and it's a big time loss for the team that does.
"Alright. Cyan is Chun-Li, Sackboy, Little Mac, Deathstroke, and Wonder Woman. Violet is Black Panther, Gordon Ramsay, Princess Peach, Sektor, and Cyrax." Jeff announces.
Cyan seems relaxed with how their team turned out. The two cyborgs on Violet though have cold glances at each other. Doesn't take long for Cyrax to speak up about this unfortunate team up. "Don't get in your own way."
"MY way? If anything I will be getting in theirs." Sektor gives him another icy stare. "Do not provoke me."
"I should be telling YOU that." Cyrax's breath picks up. "Now let's put this petty grudge aside and focus."
Cut to a Cyrax confessional, where he's..not focused.
Cyrax: I don't look forward to this little alliance. Even if we win, he will criticize everything I did wrong, and lift himself up like he's an Elder God.
Cut to Sektor's confessional.
Sektor: Whenever we win, I will give Cyrax some of this "constructive criticism" he speaks of. See if he savors that.
Rivalries aside, Jeff has an arm up to call this challenge. "Here we go, for reward. Survivors ready?"
.
.
.
"GO!"
Sektor/Cyrax and Chun-Li/Sackboy measure up a little. Cyrax gives his teammate a little tap on the shoulder, and they make the first jump! Chun-Li sees that and gestures to her shoulder. "Climb on." Sackboy doesn't hesitate.
"Cyan using that weight deficit to their advantage.."
She makes the first jump, as Sackboy clenches on. The cyborgs though are making jump after jump, looking almost in sync! The years of partnership have kicked in, even though production completely missed their history during applications.
"Violet extending that lead little by little!" Jeff calls.
"Don't let him push us around." Sackboy comments, remaining optimistic. Chun-Li keeps her game face on and takes less time on her jumps.
Chun-Li: For as much as the cyborgs dislike the other, they work well together. But I can't panic because it will fall apart soon.
Time will tell if Li's a prophet, but for now she's focused on getting herself and her surrogate son to that buzzer above. Violet's reps have made it to the wall. The pair climbs, keeping one another as far as that rope can stretches. A fist flies out and domes Cyrax! He almost falls but Sektor yanks him right back up!
"You're not going anywhere." Sektor comments.
"Don't be boastful about this."
"I will be as boastful as I please."
Cyrax powers through the brashness, getting up there first, and even extending a hand to Sektor. Sektor grabs it for a second, but pulls back and gets his free hand on the edge. Violet keeps their lead going.
As for the Cyan side, Chun-Li's finally made it over. She grips Sackboy. "Ready to try this again?"
"Don't throw me like Drax does."
Li takes a mental note, and throws Sackboy up the ramp gracefully. His body hits above, but his legs dangle. Chun-Li starts her climb, elbow smacked by a fist. She brushes it off and uses her free hand to boost that sack.
While Cyan slowly catches up, there's some tension brewing in Violet. Even with the lead, Cyrax is still bothered by the turndown though. "So you can assist me, but I can't assist you? That doesn't compute."
"You know I do not like assistance. It makes me look bad."" Sektor slams his elbow on the buzzer.
"Outdated mindset." Cyrax claps back, collected and letting the next pair take the reigns. It's time for Peach and Gordon to leave the little prison, and show their synergy as they start digging for those bags. They don't take their time after being locked up.
Speaking of locked up, Little Mac and Deathstroke are chilling inside their prison. The mercenary in the group stares out, seeing Chun-Li with a hand up. "She's on her way."
Mac has a little smile on. "Question before we dig."
"Ok."
"Out of everyone in the group, do you think she's actually the threat?" Mac asks.
That Slade blinks twice, processing the bold question Mac just asked him. "Do you want to have this discussion now?"
"We have a little time left."
Slade sets his hands in his pockets, for maybe the first time ever. "It won't be enough."
In Mac's confessional..
Little Mac: Yeah, I put him on the spot. He's not leaving the ring. I need him to look as evil as he can.
Mac and Slade, even on shaky terms, put it aside to dig in the sand. What Mac just tried, hasn't left Slade's mind at all though. He got put on the spot by an enemy in EARSHOT of another castaway, so he surely won't forget about that.
"Any bags?" Slade asks.
"No luck, man." Mac answers, punching deeper into the sand, hoping to hit something.
Cut to a Slade confessional, where's he's adjusting his mask.
Slade: In BROAD DAYLIGHT?
He clicks his tongue.
Slade: I'll remember that.
Pretty soon, bags are found left and right, because…
Peach has a bag for Violet!
Mac gets one for Cyan!
Gordon for Violet!
Slade for Cyan!
It's two-and-two, but the Violet pair pulls ahead because of their time lead. Peach takes the credit for that, and the two runner-ups head for the unlocking station. It doesn't take long for Cyan's reps to catch up, and it's still a close fight.
" ". Jeff narrates, always loving a neck-and-neck.
The tide turns when Slade's criminal experience comes in handy. He has so much experience locicking, that unlocking normally comes easy. He gets two unlocked, while Mac jams a key in and completes the part! They hand the bags over to an eager T'Challa, who's ready to boost out if there.
"Cyan's keeping it together, thanks to trouble at the Violet Station." Jeff narrates. "It's do or die! DIG PEOPLE!"
Peach and Gordon suffer under Probst's pressure. After a couple moments, the bags are unlocked! Diana snatches them and takes off!
"Here we go again: Black Panther versus Wonder Woman in a battle of speed!"
T'Challa has that heavy time advantage going for him, managing to leap the hurdles, and keep the lead even when he trips up. Diana's making progress too, slowly closing that gap. They both see the slingshot ahead, as their teams race over to beat the other.
T'Challa decides to make his most shocking move yet: cheat. He kicks some sand back, getting in Diana's way! She briefly stops, letting out a cough. "Not fair."
In her confessional, she's brushing some sand off.
Diana: He wants to act like that? I'm going extra hard in the immunities, just to get the record before he can.
She can make promises later, but what's done is done In the present. T'Challa took a little cheat, and makes it to the final stage first. Lucky for him, the cyborgs come running over to lock this one up.
"Violet has been syncing beautifully, can they win when they need it the most?" Jeff asks.
Diana's teammates are running over too, but she decides to lock in and grab the sandbags herself. It seems she has no time to wait on someone else, at least to her. Now it's just a race to see who shoots those shiny targets down first.
.
.
Sektor shoots down his second, already covering the first one. That last target is further back, so he pulls accordingly, and…
A MISS.
Diana knocks her first target down. She reloads like she has rent to pay.
Sektor takes another crack at the target…
"Violet…"
MISS!
"Does NOT have it!"
Sektor throws a sandbag away in frustration, but uses the next one. The pressure gets worse when Wonder Woman knocks her second target!
"Two down for Cyan! Last shot wins!"
Sektor takes yet another shot, and it's yet another miss! Cyrax decides it's time for a change. "Let me help."
"One more shot will work."
Cyrax sighs at his stubbornness. "Sektor, hear me out this once." He gets ignored, so he reaches a hand in, but Sektor shoves it away! "SEKTOR."
"No need."
Cyrax facepalms then and there. Jeff caught their fight and makes it everyone's business. "Violet is FALLING APART! If they blow this lead it would be a DISASTER!"
"SILENCE PROBST!" They yell, on the same page for once.
For once in his life, T'Challa looks hopeless.
T'Challa: Compromise isn't for everyone. This would be funny, if it weren't so sad.
Because of their conflict, Diana hits the last target!
"CYAN WINS REWARD!"
Diana sets a hand on her heart after all the effort. Her team comes over to join her in that weird sense of relief. It definitely wasn't the cleanest of wins, but given a Violet member took a shortcut earlier, they can't really complain.
Once they're all together again, Jeff gives his usual speech. "Wonder Woman, Chun-Li, Sackboy, Little Mac, Deathstroke. Steak Kabobs await you on the boat. Head over and enjoy your meal." His dismissal cuts the group totally in half.
That just leaves the five losers, no kebab. "For the rest: I've got nothin' for ya. Head back to camp. See you tomorrow for the immunity challenge."
With that, they make the trip back. Gordon is the lucky player to get the last confessional of the segment.
Gordon: ..what the fuck were we doing there?
Steak Kabob Reward
Day 25
Chun-Li, Diana, Little Mac, Sackboy, and Slade
Those poor Kabobs stand no chance. Sackboy is stuffed, his scrawny figure oddly bloated. He can't fit anymore, so turns to Slade for help. "You want?"
Slade takes his mask off for a bite. "Gladly."
Sackboy: I'm being nice for..a little strategy. We had some new friends join us, just because they like being around us. Maybe I can help bring Slade in even if he's..a little mean at times.
Sackboy decides it's story time and spills a moment to Slade. "This big clown wanted to turn my world into a scary one."
"I know a clown who already did." Slade admits.
"I don't know who your clown was, but this clown was so mean. He wanted to end our creativity so he could do his own." Sackboy spills. "Can you imagine living with someone like that?"
That gets the smallest of laughs out of Slade. "I'm glad you haven't met who I have. This 'Craftworld' seems like a haven compared to Gotham..even with the threats around. Seems the power of whimsy wins in the end."
"And it's all better for it!" Sackboy says loud and proud.
Deathstroke: Sackboy is easy to talk to. That's a problem. He's not as innocent as we thought..but this kid thinks he can play ME? You are not sly. You're waiting for that game-winning manuever.
B-Roll of Sackboy falling out of his chair is shown. He at least looks happy about the accident.
Deathstroke: I need the sly ones gone. It's the ONLY way I can win. Won't settle for anything less. And if he thinks he can pull the wool over MY eyes?
He lets out a villainous cackle.
Deathstroke: Pretend all you want, kid. I'M making the winning moves!
As high and mighty as Gotham's rep feels, he still has others working against him. Little Mac approaches Chun-Li at the deck, and decides to slip his own agenda into her plans.
"I know it's all hell now, but after this blows over: I don't think we NEED to get each other." Mac starts. "To be honest, I'd feel comfy with you. You've never betrayed anyone, and I'd love a new Li.."
Chun-Li nods, but with a blanker look. "Better for us. Do you have a name in mind?"
"Deathstroke, Slade, whatever he goes by..I just want him out. You know how I feel about it." Mac pushes. "
She might not be as up for this as she's showing, but Li continues her social politics. "He's not as active as I thought he'd be. Something isn't right with him.."
"He bashes my friend, but now he's CHILL? That man is NOT as cold as he thinks he is." Mac states, taking extra shots at Deathstroke. "It's crazy how we're just giving him a pass."
"He'll be one to look out for..but the people we're associated with both need his vote." Li points out. "If we had a big majority, I would consider sending him home."
Mac bites his bottom lip. "I know he's not some big threat but, I don't feel comfy letting him slide by. If I throw his name out you understand right?"
"Absolutely."
Cut to a Mac confessional ON the boat. The water behind almost splashes him, but he brushes it off.
Little Mac: I might get soaked with blood, but if it's Slade's I'm ok..
Pause.
Mac: IN THE GAME—
While Mac and Li (Chun) have their little talk, the, at this point, cracked Amazon of the group is alone in the kitchen. She opens a cabinet to find a stack of plates, and all she looks is disappointed.
"Nothing yet.."
Diana: I don't want immunity alone to win. I need to show the jury I'm more than the challenge beast they'll think I am.
She passes by the flower pots, and notices a white edge sticking out of the soil. She gasps and frantically looks around. Nobody's there.
"Ok.."
She digs a hand into the soil, and pulls out the note she's been looking for, with a little bag attached. She pockets it and leaves like nothing happened.
In confessional, she reads that note out loud.
Diana: "Congratulations, you've found a Steal-A-Vote Advantage. Before you go to vote, give Jeff the name of the person you'd like to steal from, then you will get to vote TWICE."
She has a little gasp.
Diana: I have been waiting to use one of these for a long time.
The cam stays on her as she heads through the boat. She takes a seat and kicks her feet onto the chair, feeling like a Queen.
Someone will feel like a peasant when they get their vote stolen.
Part two of her confessional.
Diana: I can hit the death knell on Cyrax, or anyone associated with him. I can end ANYONE'S time her with one move. That would make an impression.
She folds the note up.
Diana: I need to put this away before the power corrupts me.
Wonder Woman has a Steal-A-Vote. Could that be important in the future? Plus, Mac wants Slade gone, Slade wants Sackboy gone, and Sackboy's chilling with his new social game. Oh, and the reward challenge was highlighted by a Violet blunder. Yikes. Team chemistry was so good, but so bad at the same time.
Next chapter features more developments, plus a close Tribal Council that could swing the pendulum again. I'm heading out, have a great day readers :)