"In the last episode of Total Drama," Chris recapped, "Our teams put their relationships to the test when they were handcuffed and forced to work all day together in an obstacle course climbing a mountain." The scene flashed back to Wayne and Lightning, then to Shane and Jane. "There were those that worked well..." The scene changed to Sol breaking his bracelet and dragging Rodney away from Amy and Valerie. "Those who worked badly..." The scene changed to Keith and Phoebe's chats. "Those who put up with each other long enough..." The scene changed to 'Dumb' Damien breaking his bracelet and sending Lucas plummeting. "And those that didn't stop fighting, which caused the Gophers to lose."
...
The scene changed to 'Dumb' Damien's elimination. "The cowboy 'Dumb' Damien lost the duel to the masked one and was sent to loser village," Chris continued. The scene changed to Phoebe dragging Lucas away. "Although Lucas didn't exactly win as he was forced to cleaning duty by Phoebe."
...
The scene changed to Paul rejoining the Bears and Melody tracing the symbol on the cabin floor. "But there were more than fights," Chris continued, "Like Paul's dramatic recovery after his 'mysterious' accident, which was part of Melody's weird, creepy stuff." The scene changed to Luna contorting her head and spewing bile all over Sam, Dakota and Julia. "Luna also scared the ever-living stuff out of us," Chris continued. "Seriously, how did she do that?" The scene changed to Sol and Samey finding Leonard's staff. "And Sol discovered that someone used Leonard's staff to cast a nightmare spell over someone. Hmm, I wonder who."
...
The scene changes to Chris sitting in the dining room. "Seventeen gone, 83 to go," he narrated. "Find out who will be the next big loser in this episode of Total...Drama...Island!"
(cue commercial)
It was early the next morning. Inside the spa hotel, Sam was sleeping soundly until he heard a loud ROAR! "Someone turn down the TV, please," he yawned as he rubbed his eyes. "I'm trying to sleep-" His eyes widened as he saw a large monster resembling Bowser staring at him. "Stay back!" he warned as he struggled to untangle himself from his blanket, though he ended up crashing onto the floor.
"What's going on?" DJ asked as he and a yawning Dakota walked into the bedroom. The monster giggled before removing its head, revealing a giggling Luna underneath. "I was just showing Game Guy my new costume," she explained. "I don't know why he got spooked."
"Considering the stunt you pulled yesterday," Dakota scolded as she adjusted her sunglasses, "Sam's probably scared to death of you. Now get out."
"Nuh-uh. I wanna stay." Dakota simply dragged Luna off by the tail of her costume. "She seems to have quite a bit of energy," DJ thought.
"That's putting it mildly," Sam breathed out after he untangled himself.
"Well, if you feel up to it, I've fixed the team a little something for breakfast. It's just some biscuits and gravy, but it's still good."
"I didn't know you can cook, DJ."
"I can. I always like to help my mama in the kitchen. Guess I picked up a few things from her."
"Cool. Let's see if it's as good as you say." The two boys went over to the kitchen, only to find that Austin and Scott had beat them there. "Mmm, great chow," Austin muffled between bites. "Could've used a little more heat, though."
"You always say that, man," DJ pointed out. "Tell me you two didn't eat all of it."
"There's still plenty left, dude. I ain't no glutton. Besides, I'll just get a pepper from the fridge if I get a case of the munchies."
"Peppers?" Sam asked. "I'm not usually one to nitpick, but doesn't eating raw peppers seem a bit...odd?" The group noticed the sound of chewing and turned their heads to see Luna eating a small pepper. "Spicy," she giggled. She let out a fiery belch, scorching the others. "I think I got my question answered," Sam coughed out after wiping the soot off his glasses. A soot-covered Austin and Scott simply held up a sign with '8' on it.
Meanwhile in the Bears' cabin, Dave was sleeping soundly when he heard the blare from a trumpet, jolting him awake. "Hey, what gives?!" he complained.
"Good morning," Beardo greeted. "The others are already up, and I didn't want you getting left out."
"That's...more words than I expected from you at a time."
"Well, Lara helped me open up to people a little bit. Speaking of which, why don't we check on the girls?" The two boys soon entered the girls' side when they were suddenly wrapped up by what looked like a yo-yo. "Gotcha!" Lara (now cosplaying as Ladybug from Miraculous) declared. "Oh, you're not Shadow Moth. Sorry about that."
"What are you even doing?!" Dave demanded as he and Beardo freed themselves.
"Lara suggested a little dress-up party for us girls," Ella (now cosplaying as Pigella) happily explained with a twirl. "Look! I'm a pretty superhero now!"
"I even convinced Destiny and Greg to join in," Lara added. "What about you boys? Wanna join the superhero team?"
"Nah," Beardo declined. "I doubt there's anything to fit over my head." He heard a loud scream before Destiny (now dressed as Purple Tigress) crashed through the door. "Ow," she moaned.
"I warned you that not all superheroes have invulnerability," Greg (now dressed as Viperion) informed her as he leaned against the door frame.
"They look so cute together," Lara whispered to Beardo.
"What are you two blalking about?" Destiny asked after freeing herself.
"Nothing, Desi," Greg nervously assured her. "Just their usual gibberish." Beardo and Lara simply gave each other a knowing look.
Confessional: Lara and Beardo (Confused Bears)
"He has it bad for her," Beardo began.
"Totally," Lara agreed. "Looks like it's another ship for the blogs."
"What other ships are there?"
"If I told you, it'd kinda lose that little spark, you know."
"Meh, fair enough."
End Confessional
While the other Bears talked, they didn't notice Melody slipping outside. She headed towards the Frogs' cabin where she saw Valerie, her face slightly swollen, storming outside. "You deserve to go home, you bastard!" she angrily yelled out, her voice slightly muffled because of the swelling.
"How was I supposed to know you had a seafood allergy?!" Sol whipped back. "And besides, it's your fault for eating it!" Valerie just scoffed before leaving. "That little-" Sol muttered.
"I agree," Melody cut off. "Her aura is quite repulsive."
"I was gonna go look for you. Might need a little help with something regarding a certain hex."
"Yes, I'm roughly aware of the nightmare spell. I'm certain the three of us shall reverse it."
"Come again?" Melody pointed behind Sol, showing Samey hiding behind one of the porch's posts. "I-I didn't mean to listen in," she apologized.
"It's fine if you joined us," Sol assured her. "Maybe you might pick up a few things."
"Oh, I'm not sure..."
"Come on, cher. Let's get a move-on." Sol dragged Samey off, with Melody following close behind. Meanwhile, Rodney was scribbling something down on a piece of paper when he noticed Nikki entering the guys' side of the Frogs' cabin. "Whatcha doing, big guy?" Nikki asked.
"Writing a poem for my beloved," Rodney explained.
"It's not for me, right?"
"Oh, no, no, no! Of course not! It's for someone else." Nikki glanced at the poem. "That's quite impressive, buddy," she complimented. "Maybe you could be in the music biz by being a song writer."
"Thanks," Rodney replied. "Maybe I could sing some of the stuff I wrote!"
"Um, actually-"
"With a voice like a swan and as sweet as a fawn," Rodney sang off-key, making Nikki cover her ears, "She seems straight from a dream, that little drop of nectarine!"
"That's...something," Nikki slowly answered. The duo suddenly heard some laughter and turned to see Helga standing by the doorway. "What's so funny?" Nikki asked.
"Ginger Boy," Helga replied. "Ne mogli by vy spet' yeshche raz?"
"Uh, what?" Rodney asked in confusion.
"Pet'."
"No, I don't have a pet. You?"
"Um, Nanook and Anastasia not so much as pet as animal friend to village. But Anastasia very protective of Nanook cub."
"Cub?" Nikki interjected. "Wait. What kind of animal are they?"
"Polar bears, of course. You are not going to do anything to them, are you?" Before Nikki could answer Helga's question, a military siren rang out. "What the heck?" Rodney thought.
"What's that?" Cody asked as he and the other guys got out of the Gopher cabin.
"The police!" Lacey gasped. "But I didn't do anything wrong! Hide me!" She dove underneath her bed, to most of the girls' confusion. "The cops!" Duncan gasped before diving down onto the cabin floor.
"What's that noise?" Phoebe moaned as she covered herself with a blanket.
"The call of the army!" Brick rallied as he charged into the Frogs' cabin. Phoebe just tightened her grip on the sheets, to his confusion. "Good morning, campers!" Chris announced over the loudspeakers. "Please report to the kitchen in five minutes for a special breakfast."
"So, it's not the police?" Lacey asked.
"Just Chris," Sarah replied, making Lacey sigh in relief.
"It's okay, Phoebe," Brick coaxed as he gently pulled the blanket off of her. "It's over for now. Come on."
"Are you sure?" Phoebe asked.
"I'm as sure as I can be."
Confessional: Brick (Frogs of Death)
"I wonder why loud noises like that bother her so much. Maybe it's like my fear of the dark in that it just...something she has."
End Confessional
Soon, everyone was inside the main lodge's kitchen. "How much longer is that so-called 'breakfast special'?" Blainley complained. "I've been here 30 minutes, which is 30 minutes too many to wait!" Suddenly, Chef burst through the door while wielding a bazooka. "Express breakfast, you fools!" he shouted.
"What the-?" Duncan began to say. Chef pulled the trigger, blasting everyone with green pasta. "MY CLOTHES!" Valerie shrieked. "Have you lost your mind?!"
"Tell me this isn't breakfast," Heather moaned.
"No, it's not," Chris replied. "This is breakfast." He tossed Heather and Topher a can. "Peanuts?" Echo asked in confusion.
"Matanga dijo la changa," Lucas replied as he took the can from Heather.
"I suppose it's not the worst breakfast," Mike added as he took the can from Topher. He and Lucas opened the cans but were puzzled to see its contents. "It's just a card," Lucas noted, "With a bear and a piece of meat on it."
"I was hoping you'd get that," Chris told the two boys. "Your challenge today is a cooking challenge. The only catch is that the ingredients won't be provided by us. You'll have to find them."
"Find them?" Mike repeated. "Fine. I'll get started, then." He started to walk off. "Hold on, dude," 'Smart' Damien advised. "You're not gonna-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Lucas cut off. "Don't tell me I have to kill a bear for its meat."
"You don't have to," Chris informed him.
"Oh."
"You'll have to get the meat medallions from our cave infested with about half a dozen hungry bears." Lucas's eyes widened in fear.
Confessional: Lucas (Screaming Gophers)
He was writing on a piece of paper. "This is my last will and testament. If anyone finds it, give my best wishes to my family and tell them I died as a hero and fighting and not the more than likely reality: trying to escape and knocking myself out."
Confessional: Zoey (Frogs of Death)
"I hope Mike doesn't injure himself with those bears running around. Or that he knows to get those medallions instead of an actual bear."
End Confessionals
"There are a total of nine ingredients and materials," Chris explained. "Three cuts of meat, three things of vegetables, one of condiments and spices, one of cooking materials such as pots and pans, and one of cutlery. They're all contained in boxes or refrigeration units in different areas of the island, with different hazards guarding each one. Now, catch your cans and let's see who gets lucky." The interns tossed the cans at the campers, who quickly opened them. "Okay, who besides Lucas and Mike got the meat?" Chris asked. Chase, Emma, Bridgette, Tyler, Sky, Laney, 'Smart' Damien, Echo, Bryan, Owen, Valerie, Rodney, Helga, Scott, Dawn, Greg, Jo, Ella, Ezekiel, Ripper, Scarlett, Lightning, Austin, Lacey and Cody turned over their cards. "Chase, Tyler, Sky, Laney, 'Smart' Damien, Bridgette and Emma are joining Mike and Lucas in the bear caves," Chris announced. "Scarlett, Ripper, Ella, Ezekiel, Lacey, Cody, Lightning and Austin, you'll get the second box, which is inside the nest of our mutated avian friend."
"Hooray!" Ella cheered, to the others' confusion. "We get to see Prickles again!"
"No, not hooray, and do NOT go naming the fauna. That's my job."
"Uh, Chris?" Owen spoke up. "Mine has a picture of some legged shark on it."
"Oh, that," Chris added. "You, Echo, Bryan, Valerie, Rodney, Helga, Greg, Jo, Dawn and Scott will be getting the third meat that's floating on a buoy out on the lake and guarded by Fang."
"Fang?" Greg gulped with worry.
"Yeah, Fang. A much better name than Prickles. Anyway, apparently, some toxic waste can mess with stuff underwater, too. But don't worry; he has to let you live unless he wants to go back to the lab. Harm you, but not kill you."
"That doesn't reassure me," Bryan nervously put in.
"We-we-we-we have to go near some sh-sh-shark?" Scott stuttered out.
Confessional: Scott (Toxic Rats)
He was curled up in a ball. "Okay, so maybe I have a phobia of sh-sh-sharks. But can you blame me? Those pointy teeth, those...beady eyes...those pointy teeth..."
"You already said that," Bridgette told him from outside the confessional. "Are you about done now?"
"Uh...yeah?"
End Confessional
"Moving on," Chris continued, "Who has the vegetable cards?" Carly, Rose, Trent, Max, Izzy, Sarah, Corey, Geoff, Duncan, DJ, Luna, Dakota, Bowie, Anthony, Blainley, Sugar, Shawn, Dave, Millie, Paul, Phoebe, Brick, Keith, Scarlett, Ripper, Sol, Zoey and Anne-Maria turned over their cards. "Alright, then. Corey, Sarah, Dakota, Luna, Dave, Shawn, Sol, Anne-Maria and Zoey will find their box in the swamp, where they may or may not be man-eating crocodiles."
"A germ-ridden swamp?!" Dave cried out in a panic. "Seriously?!"
"An icky place like that is bad enough," Dakota protested, "But do I have to be paired up with Luna?!"
"We'll do good, budster," Luna giggled. "This'll be FUN!" Dakota immediately took a step away from her. "Yeah, good luck with that," Chris blandly told the duo. "Max, Izzy, Anthony, Bowie, Blainley, Sugar, Keith, Brick and Phoebe will find a puzzle waiting for them on the east side of the mountain. Complete it and you'll get your box and a little added bonus. Carly, Trent, Rose, Geoff, DJ, Duncan, Millie, Paul, Sierra and Cameron will find their box in the old camp's storage facility, which will be like finding a needle in a haystack."
"No nasty surprises, right?" Rose asked with a weary look.
"Of course not. Now, who's got condiments?" Leshawna, Heather, Courtney, Wayne, Raj, Alejandro, Priya, Lara, Jasmine, Amy and Samey turned over their cards. "You'll find your box hidden in the woods around some cryptic markings," Chris explained.
"Of his face, I bet," Lara whispered to Beardo, making him chuckle.
"Ahem. I was speaking. Who's got the pots and pans?" Helen, Beth, Harold, MK, Destiny, Ethan, Jane, Shane and Zee turned over their cards. "You'll find your box in the local junkyard," Chris explained. "That leaves Gwen, Lindsay, Julia, Sam, Beardo, Melody, Nikki and Topher with the knives, which will have to be taken from a pedestal guarded by a bazooka-wielding Chef." Chef smirked as he polished his bazooka, making Sam gulp with worry. "You have exactly four hours to get all the materials you can find," Chris continued. "Once time's up, you'll have to return to the camp, regardless if you have your box or not. Afterwards, you'll have to cook a dish judged by me, Chef and an intern. Now, get going."
At the bear cave, the small group hid behind some rocks while they watched two large bears sleeping near four boxes. "My luck is just great," Lucas sarcastically commented. "Yesterday I fell off a mountain and today I have to steal meat from killer bears."
"And it's just my luck that I'm stuck with the worst possible person here," Emma grumbled.
"I know," Chase agreed. "That redheaded dude is kinda weird."
"She meant YOU, dumbass!" Laney complained, "And FYI, I'm NOT a dude!"
"Uh, can we complain after we get the boxes?" Bridgette suggested.
"How are we getting the boxes?" Sky asked.
"Got it," Tyler told the group. "Me, Lucas and Chase will grab the boxes, then we'll all run before the bears wake up."
"Sounds totally epic!" Chase cheered.
"Sounds totally stupid," Emma argued. "How do we know we can trust you?"
"Um..." Tyler thought.
"You guys have any better ideas?" Laney put in with an irritated tone. "I'm all ears."
"She makes a point," Bridgette told Emma before the latter could open her mouth. "Just be quick, you guys. Don't be in there longer than you have to."
"You got it," Lucas assured her. He, Chase and Tyler crept towards the boxes. "Gotcha," Lucas quietly chuckled. "Now to-"
"NICE MOVES, MASKED MAN!" Chris exclaimed over the loudspeakers. The sleeping bears jolted awake from his voice and started to growl. "Lo voy a colgar de las-" Lucas started to curse.
"Save it for later," Sky advised. "Run for it!"
"But what about the boxes?" Emma asked while Bridgette tried to pull her away.
"No time!" Bridgette shouted. The two girls ran off empty-handed while Chase, Lucas and Tyler dashed off with a box in hand, followed by Sky and 'Smart' Damien. Laney tried to follow when she tripped and fell. She gasped when she saw two of the bears standing over her. "Laney!" 'Smart' Damien gasped as he and Sky skid to a stop. "The bears are gonna eat her!" The two bears stood over Laney when they heard another bear cry, making them run off. "That was too close," Laney breathed out. "But why did those fug bags run off like that?"
"I've got it!" Mike's voice shouted off-screen. Laney, 'Smart' Damien and Sky turned to him but gasped at his appearance: his shirt was covered in blood, and he was holding a large lump of some mysterious meat in his hands. 'Smart' Damien let out a panicked scream while Sky passed out at the sight. "Mike!" Laney scolded. "Seriously, again?!"
"What do you mean 'again'?" 'Smart' Damien asked as he picked up Sky.
"Nothing, nothing," Mike quickly replied as he moved in front of Laney, blocking her from sight. "But I've got the bear meat."
"Uh...okay? We'd better go before those bears come back."
"No kidding. Those things were bad. Standing ten feet tall with thousands of daggers in their mouth and-and those saws for hands and-"
"Mike, I think you've officially gone off the deep end," Laney cut off. "Let's just get going with the real meat we're supposed to get." She picked up the box and walked off. "I don't get it," Mike thought. "The card said to get bear meat and I got bear meat."
"I'm not gonna even ask how you got it," 'Smart' Damien told him as he carried Sky off. As the group left, they didn't see the black crow perched on a high rock before it flew away.
Confessional: 'Smart' Damien (Frogs of Death)
"What kind of guy eats bear meat? It's a BEAR, for crying out loud!"
End Confessional
In the forest, Heather was trying to shake off a worm off her shoe. "This place is so gross!" she groaned.
"Oh, quit complaining," Leshawna whipped back. "Didn't you know what you were gonna get when you signed up?"
"Intense challenges," Priya listed off, "Disgusting camp food and brutal competition from other players. Yep, I know what to expect going in."
"I highly doubt that'll help you," Courtney countered. "After all, just on my superior team, we have three athletes and a qualified C.I.T."
"It most likely stands for 'Certified Intelligent Thinker'," Alejandro coaxed as he held her hand, making Courtney smile a little.
"I don't know," Raj nervously told Courtney. "The other teams have strong players, too."
"Just look at the Bears," Wayne noted. "They have a superhero!"
"Stay quiet," Lara warned in a hushed whisper as she twirled her yo-yo around. "Who knows if Chris sent an akumatized villain here?" Most of the others looked at her in confusion. "Well, you are certainly dedicated," Jasmine spoke up.
"Dedicated to being a weirdo," Amy muttered.
"Got it!" Samey exclaimed off-screen.
"The supplies already?" Priya thought. "That quickly?" She turned to see Samey tugging on a tree branch before being flung off, crashing into Heather and Leshawna. "Get your filthy butt off of me!" Heather complained.
"You okay, girl?" Leshawna groaned.
"I got it!" Samey cheered as she held up a spider's web in her hand.
"All that effort for some bug silk?" Courtney scoffed. "Amy's right; you are hopeless."
"Such a shame you had to witness my sister's failures," Amy told the group.
"Una historia tan familiar," Alejandro muttered under his breath.
"You say something?" Lara asked him.
"It's nothing to concern you, but might I say what a fabulous outfit you're wearing. Made it yourself?"
"Um, yeah, I did. Thank you."
"Hey, guys," Jasmine told the group. "I see the boxes up there." She pointed to the boxes, which were dangling from branches right over her head. "Well, what are you waiting for?" Amy ordered. "Go get them!" She was suddenly squashed by all four boxes being thrown on top of her. "Don't you guys only need one box?" Raj thought.
"Oh, you're right," Jasmine replied with a slight smirk. "An honest mistake, mate." A loud roar caught everyone off-guard. "What the hell?!" Heather cried out. "Chris, if this is your idea of a joke, then you-" The group quickly noticed a large purple sasquatch standing over them. "Did I forget to mention that the infamous Sasquatchanakwa lives here?" Chris innocently informed them over the loudspeakers. "Oops. Oh, and he's extra-hungry today." The sasquatch roared again. "Move!" Lara advised the group. "I'll handle this beast!"
"Are you insane?" Courtney argued.
"Go, hero girl!" Wayne rallied. "You've got this!" Lara did a flip as Sasquatchanakwa swung its fists into the ground. She then used her yo-yo to bind the beast. "Hurry!" Lara shouted. "That won't hold forever!"
"Everyone got what they need?" Leshawna asked the group as she picked up a box.
"Yep," Raj replied as he held up a box.
"Yep," Priya and Jasmine agreed as they held up their boxes.
"Got it," Samey assured her as she held up the spider web, earning some confused glances from the others.
Confessional: Samey (Frogs of Death)
"Sol said getting a spider's web was important for reversing that nightmare spell on Mike. He and Melody explained that the remedy included a spider's web, some type of moss and a peppermint leaf. Sol was gonna get the moss, Melody the leaf and me the web. I hope this mix of stuff helps Mike out."
End Confessional
Meanwhile, Rose and her group arrived at the junk shed, which was an old wooden cabin with a rusty tin roof. "Here it is," she said as she checked the coordinates on the card. "Let's see if we can head in." She opened the door and a group of bats flew out. "Ah!" DJ cried out as he, Geoff, Millie and Cameron ducked down. "Shoo! Shoo!"
"They're just bats," Trent casually told him.
"Yeah," Carly added with a small smile. "No need to be scared."
"Uh, sure," Rose replied with a slightly unsure look. "Let's start searching, then." The group entered the shed and started to look around. "Man, this place gives me the creeps," DJ shuddered.
"Quit being such a wuss," Duncan teased.
"The place isn't that scary," Carly assured him.
"Could be a lot worse," Trent agreed.
"And there should be strength in numbers," Cameron added as he struggled to pull something out of the bottom of a large pile. "Speaking of which, a little help?"
"Hang on, little guy," Rose replied as she, DJ and Geoff walked over to him. They pulled out the wooden slab, though it caused the huge pile to fall over. "Watch out!" Trent warned as he pulled Carly close to him. The pile collapsed with a loud CRASH! "I think we're okay," Rose moaned as she pulled herself free.
"Is this what pain tastes like?" Cameron groaned after DJ pulled him out.
"Better get used to it, dude," Duncan told him. He noticed Trent and Carly standing together. "Oh, I see what's going on here," he said with a smirk.
"Wh-what?" Trent stammered out.
"Yeah, and why you always cling to Miss Millions there."
"How did you-?" Carly nervously asked.
"Squee!" Sierra squealed as she typed on her phone. "Thanks for inspiring my newest poll on the TD fansite, Duncan! 'Gwent or Tarly: Which Ship Is Better?'"
"Ship?" Trent repeated with confusion.
"What else was he talking about, silly?" Sierra gave Carly and Trent a wink as she led Duncan away, leaving the duo even more baffled.
Confessional: Sierra (Frogs of Death)
"Of course I know about Trent's baggage. Hello! Ultra-level superfan here! But Jane said to be careful not to post every bit on the log as a sign of 'privacy'. Besides, I've got other juicy info here, like the fact that Cody Emmett Jameson Anderson still sleeps with a stuffed emu. Aw, how cute is that?!"
End Confessional
In the swamp area, Dave was clinging onto Shawn's head as the latter cautiously waded through the swamp water. "Ew," Dakota moaned as she swatted some flies away. "Why do swamps have to be so gross?"
"I'm sure it's not that bad," Zoey nervously replied. The two girls started to cough as a cloud of hairspray surrounded them. "Hey!" Zoey managed to cough out. "Anne-Maria, please stop!"
"Come on," Dakota complained as she fanned the air with her hand. "You're, like, totally being rude!"
"There we go," Anne-Maria said as the camera focused on her spraying her hair. "Keeping my hair stylish while also keeping those pesky bugs down. A win-win for me." She was suddenly shoved away by Dakota. "Whoa!" Dakota scolded as she faced the camera. "Whoever's in charge of camera, who said you could pan away to some walking tangerine?!"
"Don't push me, blondie!" Anne-Maria argued as she sprayed Dakota in the face.
"Guys, don't fight," Zoey tried to tell them.
"Yo, Red," Sarah advised. "Over here. You don't wanna be near those cats when their claws come out." Zoey sneaked away from Dakota and Anne-Maria's conflict and went over to Sarah's side. "Trust me, you'll be thanking me later," Sarah said. "Everything alright with you?"
"I-I guess" Zoey stammered. "Well, I don't really know."
"Having trouble fitting in with your team?" Zoey nodded her head yes. "Yeah, I get it," Sarah told her. "I've never been the person to really 'fit in'. Not at home, not on the Gophers...and everybody staring at you like oddballs at a circus." She shuddered. "Hate that feeling."
"I know," Zoey sighed. "Back home, there's not a lot of people that share the same interests as me. Always feeling so alone..."
"Don't fret, Red. I'm sure we'll find at least one guy or gal that'll be pals with us oddballs."
"Zoey!" Sol shouted as he waded through the water. "You gonna look for the boxes or not?"
"Come on, dudes!" Corey rallied. "We gotta get those boxes back."
"There is no way I'm putting any part of my body in that germ-infested water!" Dave declared as he clung tighter on Shawn's head.
"Uh, what's up with you two?"
"You always have to be on-guard in areas like this," Shawn explained. "Who knows if a swamp zombie could pop up and drown you before eating your brains out?!"
"Please," Sol scoffed. "You think zombies are a threat?"
"They're no joke, dude," Corey defended. "Those things can sneak right up on you and get your brains without you knowing."
"Guys, zombies are not real," Dave argued. A figure covered in moss and twigs rose up from the swamp water and gave a menacing growl. "I-I-I take it back!" Dave stammered as Corey jumped up in Shawn's arms.
"ZOMBIE!" Shawn panicked. He tried to run but tripped on a tree root, making him, Dave and Corey land in the swamp water. "SOAP!" Dave cried out. "I NEED SOAP!" Sol just scoffed before pulling off the moss, revealing a giggling Luna underneath the muck. "Wicked zombie costume!" Corey exclaimed. "You had me fooled."
"Really?" Sol teased. "I can't tell the difference. Hey, moss! I'll be needing that." He noticed Luna rising higher up. "Uh, what are you standing on?"
"Ooh, crockies!" Luna squealed as she saw the snout of a crocodile under her feet.
"Gators! GET LOST!" Sol quickly ran off. "Swamp monster!" Corey shouted before he, Shawn and Dave ran off.
"Get 'em, my pretties!" Luna giggled as she rode on the crocodile's back. She let out a cry as she and the gator were sprayed by Anne-Maria's hairspray, making them fall over. "Keep your walking handbag away, you freak!" she scolded.
"For once, I agree," Dakota moaned as she crawled over.
"Hey, I can see the boxes! Let get 'em!" Anne-Maria and Sarah quickly collected their boxes. "Hey!" Dakota cried out as the girls ran past her. "Wait up!"
Over by the junkyard, MK was searching through the piles while Harold examined a different pile. "Any clues on which area the boxes are in?" Beth thought as she and Helen walked around. "This place is so big!"
"I've got an idea!" Zee exclaimed. "Here, boxie, boxie. Where are you?"
"Oh, how brilliant," MK sarcastically commented.
"I know, right? I'm so glad I thought of it." Zee was suddenly knocked over by a metal pipe. The group turned to see Destiny rummaging in a pile like a raccoon. "Come on," she muttered. "It's gotta be close, right?"
"Would you like a hand, Miss Destiny?" Ethan offered as he walked over to her. He quickly ducked as she swung a metal pipe at him. "I don't want some jidiot's help!" Destiny shouted. "Shoo!"
"Aren't you two on the same team?" Harold pointed out.
"We are," Ethan replied, "So I don't get why-"
"Leave the dweeb alone, Galahad!" Destiny shouted as she swung a baseball bat at him. "I won't let you try any of your pretty boy tricks on him!" Ethan quickly backed away as Destiny kept swinging the bat around. "Be careful, Miss Destiny!" he warned, catching Jane and Shane's attention. "Same team, remember!"
"Man, I am so glad we don't have to put up with her 24/7," Shane quietly told Jane. "Uh, but I'm sure your sister can handle her, right?"
"I think so," Jane replied. "She's a strong girl on her own."
"Hey, about yesterday, I wanted to know-"
"I see the boxes!" Helen exclaimed as she picked up a box.
"I know what you're gonna ask," Jane whispered. "We'll talk more when there's less people around." She went over to where Helen was. "Nice work," she complimented. "The boxes with the pots and pans are over here, guys!" Jane and Helen gasped when they saw a large beetle rise out of a pile near the boxes. "Along with a cranky mutated beetle who looks pissed off!" Helen cried out.
"Grab 'em and run, everyone!" Ethan advised. "Hurry!"
"It's all the same with you pretty boys," Destiny scolded. "Run, run, run. Let me show you how someone good handles a Buzzy Beetle this size." She stormed up to the mutant beetle as she pulled out her guitar. "Are you nuts?!" Shane protested. "You'll get killed! Get out of there!"
"Yo, Buzzy!" Destiny called out, catching the beetle's focus. "Come at me!" The mutant hissed before skittering towards her. "I can't watch!" Beth gasped as she covered her eyes.
"You know that all my life," Destiny sang as she strummed her guitar while dodging the beetle's swipes, "I have been waiting
"I have been waiting for this
"All my life
"I have been fighting
"I have been fighting for this
"Dream in my soul
"And I won't let it go
"You know that all my life
"They try to keep me down but I just get higher." She swung her guitar at the mutant beetle, knocking it out cold. "Oh, yeah!" Destiny cheered. "Take that!"
"Talk about awesome!" Helen exclaimed.
"Much better than Galahad's stupid idea."
"Box," Ethan plainly said. "Challenge. Remember?"
"We'd better get them before that beetle comes to," Jane agreed. Meanwhile, Chef was pacing around as he guarded the boxes with the knives. "It's cool," Nikki breathed out as the small group hid behind a large rock, "Just gotta sneak past to get the boxes, which are guarded by some ex-military man wielding a bazooka. Perfectly safe."
"Are you done?" Gwen asked with an annoyed huff.
"Uh, I think so. Man, I wish the Rodster was here. His brawn could help out a whole bunch."
"You don't need muscles when dealing with guys like him," Topher cut in. "You need charisma. Watch." He strutted towards Chef. "If it isn't our most wonderful Chef!" Topher complimented. "So tough and so skilled...no surprise that you're guarding the most important item here." He was suddenly blasted back with a ball of steaming hot pasta. "I hate suck-ups!" Chef shouted.
"So much for charisma," Gwen noted. "Anyone else got any bright ideas?"
"Your channel is, like, so cute!" Lindsay gushed as she talked to Julia. "And getting that many followers is so incredible!"
"Thanks," Julia casually replied. "Maybe you'll get one nearly as successful as mine. You're so good at being defined by your fair looks and teeny brain."
"Did that compliment come off as backhanded or is it just me?" Nikki quietly asked Sam.
"It's not just you," Sam whispered back. "Hey, the Bears have been quiet for a while. Are they thinking of a plan?"
"Yes," Melody suddenly answered, spooking the duo. "Someone needs to distract Chef." Beardo made the sound of a bugle as he stood up. "Looks like we have a volunteer," Nikki said. Beardo began running towards Chef, though he did it in slow-motion. "Why are you running like that?" Gwen questioned. Chef fired his bazooka at Beardo, hitting him in the groin. "Oh..." he moaned as he fell over.
"Any other brave men wish to go?" Julia offered.
"But he's the only guy left," Lindsay said as she pointed to Sam.
"Okay, I'll go," Sam decided. "Let's do this!" He made some BEEP-BLOOP noises as he ran ahead. Chef fired at him, but Sam managed to avoid the blasts. "You'd better hurry, Melody," Nikki warned as Melody tip-toed away. "I'm not sure how long he can keep up the beat." Chef kept firing, unaware that a snake was slithering past and relaying the boxes to Melody. "Eek!" Lindsay screamed as she hugged Julia in fear.
"Get that slimy thing away!" Julia ordered.
"Thank you, Strangle," Melody told the snake as she stroked it. "Now, help Sam get rid of the cook, without any lethality." The snake nodded before slithering off. "Whoa!" Sam cried out as he barely missed another blast. "Yipe!" He ducked behind Beardo, making the latter get hit with a pasta blast. "You okay, dude?" Sam asked. Beardo made a ding-ding sound as he gave him a thumbs-up. "Hey, there's no more blasts," Sam noticed.
"Hey!" Chef yelled out as he struggled to get Strangle off his foot. "Get it off of me! Get it off of me!"
"Here you go," Melody offered as she passed a box to each of the teams.
"Cool," Nikki replied, "But why are you helping us?"
"There would be no interest in me if I just got the ingredients." Melody noticed a crow flying over to her. "Here, Shadow," she coaxed as the bird landed on her arm. "Something you wish to tell me?" The crow cawed. "Oh, no! Beardo, can you take the box back? I must see to something important."
"Yeah," Beardo groaned as Sam helped him to his feet. "Let's go." The group headed off while Chef was being forced to hit himself by Strangle. "I don't get paid enough," Chef grumbled.
On the dock, Greg was looking through a pair of binoculars at the lake ahead. "I can see the boxes," he noted as he spotted a buoy. "Oh, and I can see a shark fin. Let's grab two boats."
"I think this one is strong enough to hold the Gophers and Frogs," Bryan told the group as he tapped on a large boat. "And that smaller boat can hold the Rats and Bears."
"Out there?!" Scott protested. "Not a chance in hell! I don't wanna be around that Fang shark! Count me out!" He stormed off. "I'm afraid his shark phobia will make us unable to collect this box," Dawn sighed. "Not that I blame him for being scared. We'll see you later."
"Go ahead," Valerie scolded. "Throw away your chance at winning." She then turned to Bryan, Greg and Rodney. "But I imagine that someone as cute and creative as you guys can think up a solution."
"Yeah!" Owen rallied as he brought her and Valerie into a hug. "We just gotta use our heads!"
"Erm, yeah," Bryan nervously said as he gawked at Valerie.
"Yeah," Rodney gushed as he stared romantically at Valerie.
"Those boys are a bunch of idiots," Jo scoffed.
"Glupyy mal'chik," Helga muttered under her breath. She noticed Echo starting to gag. "Why is Blue Hair looking like green Christmas ornament?"
"Oh, I-I'm fine," Echo stuttered out, though her tone suggested otherwise. "Just feeling a little...under the weather. Don't-" She gagged again before running off. "Weak," Jo noted.
"Very," Valerie agreed.
Confessional: Valerie (Frogs of Death)
"My charms always manage to get me out of the stickiest situations. Who knows? I might have a mole on the Gophers' team."
Confessional: Bryan (Screaming Gophers)
"'Someone as cute and creative as you.' How silly. She thinks I'm gonna fall for basic manipulation? Although...maybe...I could use it to my advantage. Plus, I'll give her bonus points for making Echo sick to her stomach with all the 'romance' she can pull off."
Confessional: Greg (Confused Bears)
"I don't see how those guys are so gullible to fall for Valerie's obviously fake charms. That girl's as genuine as iron pyrite. But on an unrelated note, how did Echo get so sick so quickly? We weren't even on the water yet."
Confessional: Echo (Screaming Gophers)
She puked into a bucket. "Bryan...I hate you, you little bastard."
End Confessionals
Back at the junk shed, Paul was sifting through a pile of metal. "Didn't you look through that already?" Millie asked.
"No, this is a different area," Paul told her, "And I don't see you working." He then heard the faint sound of footprints. "Do...do you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Millie wondered.
"Someone else is here, creeping around."
"Um, we're not alone. DJ, Geoff, Cameron, Rose, Carly..."
"It's not them. I can tell."
"How?"
"I just...know, okay? Now just stay quiet. I'm gonna check it out." Paul tip-toed away until he noticed a figure sneaking around in the shadows. He quickly lunged at the figure, making the latter scream out in shock. "What the hell was that?" Duncan thought as the others heard the noise. The group ran over to see Paul on top of a familiar intern. "Dean?" Carly gasped in surprise. "What are you doing?"
"Currently getting my back crushed," Dean groaned. "Can you get off of me, Paul?"
"Not until you explain why you're crawling around like a cockroach," Paul sternly told him. "Start talking."
"Dude, you can be scary when you want to be," Trent noted.
"Be careful, Paul," Carly advised. "You might hurt Dean."
"Can I say just three words?" Dean groaned.
"What?" Paul questioned. Dean simply pulled out a remote from his pocket. "Nothing personal, guys," he told them as he pressed the button.
"Hey, I think I see the boxes," Millie noted as she looked at a pile. She screamed when she saw a large robot rising from the pile. "What the fuck is that thing?" Paul demanded after he got off of Dean. "DEAN!"
"Uh, good luck, guys," Dean quickly said before scurrying off like a jackrabbit.
"Intruders detected," the robot stated. "Target acquired. Target: object removal with extreme violence."
"Oh, crap," Geoff gulped. Duncan managed to kick the robot back a few feet before tossing the boxes to the others. "RUN LIKE HELL!" he yelled out. The group dashed out of the building. "Oh, I'm glad they're okay," Dean breathed out as he watched them leave. "Now, um, how does that thing shut off?"
"The Drama Machine doesn't have an off switch, intern," Chris chuckled over the intercom.
"Wait, what?!" Dean gasped as one of the robot's arms grabbed him by the waist. "CHRIS!" he cried out in anger as he was dragged off.
Confessional: Dean
He now had a black eyes, bruises over his body and parts of his shirt were torn. "That crappy host! First he makes me go in there to turn the stupid robot on, then he tells me it can't be switch off after the damn thing is up and running! Who doesn't put an off switch on something like that?! Not to mention I probably pissed off Miss Morningstar and her pals. Especially Paul. Trent was right; that mechanic looked downright terrifying when he tackled me. I swear that his eyes had this yellow glow to them as he glared at me."
End Confessional
Over in another area, Prickles the mutant bird gave a menacing caw as he guarded his nest with the boxes inside. "Looks like a tough bird," Ezekiel gulped with worry.
"Nothing that the Lightning can't handle!" Lightning boasted.
"You nerds better step back and let us men handle this," Ripper bragged.
"And you call Zeke sexist," Lacey muttered under her breath.
"Let's get that bird!" Austin exclaimed. "CHARGE!" He, Lightning, Cody and Ripper rushed towards Prickles, though they were swiftly knocked back by an onslaught of spikes. "Crap!" Lightning cursed out.
"You manly men need a little 'nerd' help?" Scarlett teased.
"I can get out all on my own," Ripper scoffed.
"Alright, smart-ass," Lacey decided, "I'll leave you alone." Lacey then turned to Scarlett and Ezekiel. "Any of you got a bright idea?" she asked. "Hey, where did Princess go to?"
"Hello, Prickles!" Ella greeted as she skipped over the bird. "Happy to see you again! Um, I was curious if me and my friends could have the boxes in your nest, please." Prickles nodded before the bird threw the boxes down to the ground. "Got 'em!" Lacey shouted as she caught all four boxes and kept them balanced.
"I have no clue what happened, eh," Ezekiel admitted as he and Scarlett collected a box off of Lacey, "But thanks for the boxes, Ella! Uh, you gonna come down?"
"In a moment," Ella replied. "I'm meeting with Prickles' little chicks." A few smaller birds that resembled Prickles chirped as they surrounded her. "Aw, you're so cute! Care for some music, little ones? Lara's costume came with a tambourine to jingle." She started to vocalize as she shook the instrument with Prickles and the chicks chirping in rhythm. "Okay," Lacey decided as she stared at her with disbelief, "We're leaving."
"Hey!" Austin protested as he and the other boys struggled to free themselves. "What about us?!"
"Hey, your fault for pissing off Mama Bird up there. Besides, you said you can get out on your own. Bye."
Over on the mountain, Max was struggling to put the puzzle together. "Curses!" he scolded. "My superior intellect should have figured this out long ago!"
"I think this piece fits here," Phoebe thought. "Yes! One more step for good!"
"Bah! Your might is no match for my EVIL prowess!" Max tried to give an evil laugh but it ended in a cough. "Nice try, Max," Phoebe declared, "But evil will never win against the force of good!"
"That's what you think!" Max argued. "Neither you nor your sidekicks shall defeat me!"
"Who is Max talking about?" Brick asked as he and Keith watched from the sidelines.
"I can't believe I'm stuck with the deadweights on my team," Keith grumbled.
"No one's dead weight, Keith. Everyone on the team has some unique skills to offer."
"Oh, please. You have Wonder Wuss, Midget, Panic Attack, Fart Monster, Cheerleading Brats, the Australian and Russian Giants, Fashion Model, Apology Breath, Mister Lovestruck, Rapper Chick, Tanaholic, Chris Wannabe, Uberfan, Nerd and Nerdette, Lanky Idiots, Janie and her annoying underling, and then there's Sol. They're not very useful at all."
"That is not true! Phoebe, you've told me how well you are at first aid." However, Phoebe was struggling to move a puzzle piece. "Come...on..." she strained.
"Hold still," Brick offered as he walked over, making Keith roll his eyes.
"Open up!" Sugar shouted as she pounded on the puzzle.
"You have to solve it, not shout at it," Blainley reminded her.
"Shouting always fix problems. Hey, you're a TV person. I've got an idea for a new show. It's called 'That's Nothing'. Real people tell me their problems and I yell 'SUCK IT UP!' I'd watch it."
"I doubt TV standards could ever sink that low. Then again, Chris is airing this show and all..." Sugar tackled Blainley, and the two started to fight. "Man, I am so glad they're not on my team," Bowie noted as he and Anthony tried to solve their puzzle.
"Aye," Anthony agreed. "That Sugar's as ruthless as a barracuda on an admiral's arm. Speaking of people, you made any trusty mates yet?"
"You could say that."
"Maybe get any admirers? Like maybe...Raj?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You haven't clued in? I'll tell you what happened the other day."
...
The scene flashed back to Anthony laying on his bunk when he noticed Raj carrying some colored paper inside the cabin. "Oh, I thought the cabin was empty," Raj bashfully told the pirate.
"What's with the paper?" Anthony asked.
"Lara let me have some. I made one of collage thingies for, uh, someone I...care about."
"Oh, I bet Wayne will be touched by that gesture." Anthony glanced at the papers again and noticed something. "It's mainly purple paper, though," he noted, "So it's not for Wayne or...?"
"I'll be going now," Raj stammered as he walked off, clutching the papers close to his chest. However, he failed to notice Anthony staring at part of a sheet, which looked like part of a paper portrait of Bowie's face.
...
"If a paper face collage of someone doesn't scream 'crush', I'm not sure what does," Anthony told Bowie. "Wish I could've gotten a full look instead of a glimpse."
"Sounds touching and all," Bowie replied, "But..."
"Oh, come on. He seems like a real catch. Sweet, caring, a dab of creativity..."
"Not to mention a total hunk. Then again, I have a weakness for jocks. But let's focus on the puzzle and the challenge for now."
"Okay, okay. We've got eyes, hair, a dab on a chin..." Anthony slapped his head in frustration. "Why didn't we figure it out sooner?" he moaned in realization.
"What is it?" Bowie thought.
"Do those details remind you of a certain scalawag?"
"Oh, he so did not."
"Aye, he did."
"Look!" Izzy exclaimed as she placed the last piece of the puzzle in. "It's Chris! Hi, Chris!"
"Okay, how the hell did she put that together so quickly?!" Keith protested.
"Move over, underling," Max ordered as he pushed Izzy aside. "I shall be the one to uncover the power and-" The mutant snake/mantis hybrid popped out of the puzzle and hissed, making Max scream with fright. "Ooh, a prize!" Izzy giggled as she hopped over to the creature. "Super fun! Hey, you guys wanna share?"
"It's all yours, lass," Anthony decided as he, Bowie and Keith backed away.
"Have at it, ma'am," Brick told her as he moved Phoebe away.
"Cool!" Izzy exclaimed. "Let's tango, buddy!" She and the mantis charged at each other and threw a few fast punches at each other. Izzy quickly jumped up as the snake/mantis snapped its venomous fangs at her, but she hopped up onto the creature's neck and gave it a huge CHOMP, making it hiss in pain. The mantis skittered off, dropping Izzy off. "WHOO!" she cheered. "That felt awesome! I've never chomped something like that before, ha-ha. Hey, are you sure you guys don't wanna a turn?" However, Bowie, Anthony, Keith, Brick and Phoebe were all gathered in a fearful huddle. "Anyone else thinking they need a change of undies?" Anthony meekly spoke up.
"I hear that," Bowie admitted.
"Ditto," Brick agreed.
Meanwhile, Bryan and Greg had paddled the boats out onto the lake. "We're close," Jo said. "Alright, we need to lure that shark away, and for that, we need bait. Hmm, that chubby Gopher looks chewy..."
"AHH!" Owen yelled out with fright. "I'M TOO YOUNG TO BE FISH FOOD!"
"Or we could simply use the bait buckets," Greg noted as he held up two buckets of bait. "Oh, Fang! Lunchtime!" He tossed the buckets away from the buoy, and the large shark immediately swam towards it. Jo took the opportunity to grab her box off the buoy. "Let's move!" she ordered as she paddled her and Greg's boat away.
"What about them?" Greg protested.
"On their own!"
"Wait!" Owen shouted as the boat went farther and farther away. "WAIT!"
"Uh-oh," Valerie gasped as she noticed a gray fin darting across the water. "He's coming back. What now?"
"Perhaps one of us can distract him again?" Bryan meekly offered.
"Ginger Boy can!" Helga declared. "On mozhet pet' akule."
"Uh, I don't think this is the best time to talk about animals," Rodney nervously replied.
"No, no, no. Not animal talk. Ginger Boy go la, la, la, la..."
"Oh, yeah! That! I'd be happy to!"
"You've got to be kidding me," Valerie realized. "Singing? Really?"
"It might be our only chance at safety," Bryan pointed out as he saw Fang's menacing smile rise from the water. "Hurry, Rodney!"
"Looking at you," Rodney sang off-key, making Valerie and Bryan cover their ears, "Holding my breath
"For once in my life, I'm scared to death
"I'm taking a chance, letting you inside
"I'm feeling alive all over again
"As deep as the sky under my skin
"Like being in love, she said, for the first time
"Maybe I'm wrong, I'm feeling right
"Wherever I belong with you tonight
"Like being in love to feel for the first time."
"Correction," Bryan quietly moaned to Valerie, "We were safer with the shark." They noticed Fang whimpering before passing the boxes to them and swimming off. "It worked!" Rodney cheered. "My singing worked!"
"You did good, Ginger Boy," Helga complimented.
"Good?" Valerie scoffed. "It was-" She gasped as she saw Helga growling at her. "She meant to say 'great', dear Helga," Bryan fibbed.
"Thank you, sweetie," Valerie coaxed after Helga turned her back. "You're a lifesaver."
"It-it was nothing."
"Gross," Echo muttered under her breath.
"I'm glad Fang decided to give us the boxes," Owen sighed. "I'm also glad we can all work together."
"I agree," Bryan added. "Even though we're from different teams, we did so well together."
"Yeah," Valerie agreed. "It's kind of...nice."
"Kinda like Corey and Laney. Last night, there seemed to be some tension between them. Maybe they're willing to talk things out."
"Really? That's...that's...great."
"Yes," Echo agreed as she shot Bryan a suspicious look, "Nice."
Confessional: Valerie (Frogs of Death)
"Thank you, silly. You gave me the information I needed and I didn't even have to ask for it. I'm almost too good."
Confessional: Bryan (Screaming Gophers)
"Done. I've got my piece across the other side. Now, I just have to wait for the fireworks to start and one of the two musicians will be out of here."
Confessional: Echo (Screaming Gophers)
"Bryan isn't the type to fall for a basic trick like that. He's got something planned; I know it. Maybe I should try to spook that actor; make him sweat a little."
End Confessionals
"Looks like the teams have gathered their supplies," Chris narrated, "But no more inter-team friendships. Now you have to prepare a dish. Who'll turn out to be the best cook? Find out when we get back."
(cue commercial)
"Alright, guys," Courtney ordered as the Rats gathered at their cooking station. "We have to make a good, quality meal to impress the judges. Wait: where are the meat boxes?"
"Scott was scared off by the shark," Bridgette explained, "The bird pinned Lightning and Austin, and me and Emma couldn't grab ours once the bears woke up."
"Looks like it's just salad, I guess," Sam sighed.
"Hold on now," DJ encouraged. "We can still make this work. We've got spices, right? We can spice up this vegetable medley to make some tasty fixings."
"Might as well give it a shot," Duncan shrugged. "You heard the big guy. Let's get moving."
"We have beef, chicken, some veggies, spices and a pork rack," Heather listed off.
"Let me handle the beef," Lucas told her. "I have a special recipe designed for this."
"Trent, Rose and I can prepare a salad," Carly offered.
"Gwen and I can take care of the chicken," Corey volunteered.
"Me and Lace are in charge of pork," Sarah spoke up.
"The rest of us can help out where we can," Leshawna decided.
"Alright," Sky breathed out after seeing the supplies at their station, "Who should do what?"
"Desi and I can make some mashed potatoes," Greg volunteered.
"I saw my mom and dad make chicken before," Millie noted. "Maybe Priya and I can take that part."
"Leave the pork to me," Jo decided. "That's the best part of any good meal."
"Could I do the beef with Ethan?" Ezekiel asked.
"Sure thing," Sky replied. "The rest of you split up and try to help out."
"Uh, aren't we missing a few people?" Shawn thought.
"Ella's with the birds," Ezekiel informed the Bears.
"Blainley and Sugar haven't come back," Lara said. "I bet you my Miraculous they're still fighting with each other."
"And Melody?" Sky asked.
"Being Melody, obviously," Destiny answered. "I heard her blalking some wunny stuff to some Seviper critter."
"She heard Melody chatting with a snake," Greg translated. "About what, I have no clue."
"Are you sure about this?" Samey asked Melody in a hushed voice as the two girls and Sol gathered in an area away from the others' hearing. "I don't think he would-"
"The nightmare spell is definitely getting worse," Melody informed her as Strangle slid onto her left arm and Shadow perched on her right. "Shadow told me that he witnessed Mike kill a bear because of the spell's influence."
"So it wasn't just him misunderstanding the instructions," Sol thought. "Well, the sooner we reverse the spell, the better. I got the moss. Sammy, the web?"
"Here," Samey said as she passed it to Melody.
"Good," Melody replied, "But we need to get Mike in here for it to work. Can you two lure him here?"
"We'll figure something out," Sol assured her.
Confessional: Melody (Confused Bears)
"Sol and Sammy do seem like fairly good souls despite the mistreatment they have received from their siblings. Odd how that turns out."
End Confessional
"I'll be in charge of the beef," Brick decided. "What can you guys do?"
"I can make a salad," Jane offered. "My grandmother taught me. Shane, you wanna help?"
"Sure," Shane replied.
"I can slice up some potatoes to make fries," Laney suggested.
"I can help out with that," Valerie volunteered.
"I could do the pork," Rodney said. "I've been around enough pigs to know how to make some ham and sausage."
"Chicken's on me," Keith decided. "Does that about cover it?"
"Bear meat," Mike stated as he set the slab of meat onto the counter.
"Ew!" Amy gagged. "Get that away!"
"Did you-?" Helga seethed.
"He did," 'Smart' Damien meekly replied as he ducked down. Helga tried to go after Mike but Jasmine and Brick held her back. "Mike, we can't use that!" Brick told him. "It's taboo, like horse meat!"
"And besides," Anne-Maria added, "Bear meat's supposed to be greasy, and I ain't risking a break-out ruining my perfect tan."
"But the instructions were-" Mike argued.
"Hang on, buddy," Sol cut in as he and Samey started to lead Mike away, "We'll work some use for...that." The duo walked out of the cooking area and towards the woods. "Why are we all the way out here?" Mike asked.
"Melody!" Sol shouted. "We're here!"
"Hey! What are you doing?! Let go!"
"H-hold still, Mike," Samey tried to tell him as he struggled to free himself of her and Sol's grip. "This will help you."
"Hurry!" Sol yelled out. "The guy's got fight to him! Ow!"
"Let go!" Mike protested. He then saw Sol and Samey as some strange vulture-headed demons with solid-lack eyes. "AH!" Mike cried out. He quickly swiped his hands at the figures, releasing their grips on him. Mike quickly ran away until he was suddenly splashed with some orange liquid, making him fall over in shock. He blinked as his vision slowly returned to normal. "I see that the potion worked," Melody stated as she, Sol and Samey stood over Mike.
"Huh?" Mike thought as he slowly stood up. "What are you talking about?"
"Long story short," Sol explained, "Someone put a nightmare spell on you, making you act all crazy."
"What?! Ugh, I just HATE magic! ARGH!" Mike turned to face Sol and Samey. "Was I, um, how crazy did I-?" he nervously began.
"I heard you killed a bear," Sol informed him, "And now Helga the bear lover is super-pissed at you."
"Oh, lovely. Guess I'll be hiding from her until she cools down."
"I don't think it'll be that long," Samey hoped.
"But I doubt we'll be let into the kitchen," Sol thought. "Between Bitch-my, Miss Vixen and now Bear Lover, everyone will be ganging up on us. But if they lose, they can't blame us if we're not in the way."
Confessional: Samey (Frogs of Death)
"Wow. Sol's pretty witty...not to mention kinda cute to look at. But I doubt it'll work. Any guy I've ever liked ends up rejecting me because of Amy." She sighed.
End Confessional
Meanwhile, Lucas (now in an outfit inspired by WWE's Kane) started to cut the meat. He then put a pan with grill bars over the fire. "Need any help, honey?" Leshawna offered.
"Do you know how to slice potatoes?" Lucas asked.
"Sure thing. How's the meat coming along."
"I'm working my Argentinean magic on it."
Confessional: Lucas (Screaming Gophers)
"Not to brag, but we Argentinians are the masters of the grill. Y si dices que no, es porque no has probano un asago Argentino."
End Confessional
Dave was watching Shawn quickly sliced the vegetables. "You're surprisingly good at this," Dave complimented.
"Of course," Shawn explained. "I've handled plenty of sharp blades during my training. You not only have to be quick, but accurate, otherwise you'll be wasting ammo."
"Uh, yeah. As long as it beats the other teams' dishes, I guess."
"We need barbecue, a pressure cooker and some vegetables," Lacey listed off to the Gopher girls. "Some carrots and onions will do."
"Sure," Carly replied as she sliced a carrot, "I'll just- ouch!" She quickly covered up her finger. "You alright?" Trent asked her.
"Yeah," Carly replied, "Just...nicked myself. I've only seen my chef cut things, so I-"
"Go get your finger bandaged up," Lacey ordered. "We'll take care of it."
"But-"
"Do it." Carly sighed before walking off to the medical tent. "You didn't have to be so hard on her," Rose said to Lacey.
"Yeah," Trent agreed, "She's new to this."
"Well, she won't be much help if she keeps cutting herself, will she?" Lacey bitterly pointed out.
Confessional: Lacey (Screaming Gophers)
"I don't why Rose and Trent trusts Miss Millions so much. People of her type never do anything for us."
End Confessional
"Are you sure about this?" Emma asked DJ as he sliced a tomato.
"The guy was the one who made those tasty biscuits and gravy in the spa hotel this morning," Sam pointed out.
"Aye," Anthony agreed, "He's talented with food."
"I get it from my mama," DJ said as he puffed out his chest with pride.
"That's nothing," Chase bragged as he overheard the Rats' talk. "I happen to know a lot about food."
"Oh, please," Emma scoffed. "You never cooked a day in your life!"
"But I'm still the best. The thousands of followers on my channel prove it and-"
"You sure talk a lot for a person," Luna interrupted as she stared at Chase's face. "Want me to shut him up, Chase's Girlfriend?"
"DO NOT call me that!" Emma screamed out in frustration. "We are NOT together anymore!"
"Okay! I'll take that as a 'HELL YEAH!' KNIFE PARTY!" Chase let out a bloodcurdling scream as he saw Luna quickly raising a knife over her head before he dashed off like a bullet. "Luna!" Sam scolded as he pulled her away. "What the hell is wrong with you? You don't stab people with knives!"
Confessional: Luna (Toxic Rats)
She was giggling as she tapped her knife. "I wasn't gonna kill him!" She giggled again. "On camera!"
End Confessional
"No sign of Melody yet?" Paul thought as he took a glance around.
"Nope," Ethan sighed as he passed him a pot of water. "But I'm sure she can handle herself with her, um, ways. Hey, I heard what happened to you in the junk shed from Miss Millie."
"Still can't believe Dean would do that."
"Chris probably ordered him to do that."
"Doesn't make me feel better."
"But the, um, peculiar part wasn't Dean. Miss Millie told me how you found him in the first place. Wanna talk about it?"
"Um..." Paul cried out in pain as he heard a loud SCREECH, making him cover his ears and drop the pot of water, drenching himself. "What is that noise?" Ethan wondered.
"Sorry about that," Corey apologized after letting go of a pan. "Metal rubbing on metal, you know."
"I'll refill this," Paul sighed as he picked up the pot. "Maybe it'll distract my earache for a few seconds."
"The secret is to cook the meat slowly," Lucas explained to Bryan and Beth. "If you snatch it with fire, you'll eat more coal than a miner."
"But won't that make it raw?" Beth asked.
"Oh, mi amiga, believe me, it will not. I'll save you a piece, and once you try it, you'll feel like you entered Valhalla with Thor and Odin by your side."
"Sounds nice," Bryan said, though his focus was more on the rockers than the dish.
Confessional: Bryan (Screaming Gophers)
"I need to figure out a way to make Corey and Laney clash. I think that dressmaker will come in handy."
End Confessional
On the Frogs' side, Valerie was watching Corey and Helen with laser focus. How can I make those good-for-nothings lose and affect the redhead? she thought. She then noticed Laney getting a small grimace at the two rockers. "Perfect," Valerie muttered under her breath. As Bryan carried a bowl of diced onions over, she tripped the actor, making him bump into Corey and causing him and Helen to fall and lock lips. The two turned redder than the tomatoes they were dicing. "Oh, God, I'm so sorry!" Corey quickly apologized.
"No, see," Helen stuttered, "That wasn't-" The two failed to notice that Laney had seen them and now had an expression that would scare the devil himself. "Awww," Valerie gushed, "That was so adorable!" That was the straw that broke the camel's back as Laney quickly tossed a tomato, hitting Corey in the face. "Hey!" he complained.
"No complaints, blockhead!" Laney scolded. She tossed another tomato, a radish and a zucchini at Corey. "Alright," he decided, "This means war." He grabbed a tomato and tossed it, but Laney dodged it and it hit Amy instead. "My hair!" she shrieked. "You're dead, punk!"
"Uh-oh," Greg realized. "We'd better move our stuff away, Bears." The Bears ducked down just as Amy threw an onion, which hit Lacey. She went back and hit Nikki, who hit back at Heather, who hit back at Keith. "FOOD FIGHT!" Luna squealed as the Gophers and Frogs kept tossing stuff back and forth.
"Ow!" Emma cried out as a potato hit her in the head. She lifted up a head of lettuce when Anthony stopped her. "Hold on, lass," he advised. "You'll throw away our only food. We need it to win."
"But-"
"Let me put it this way: Gophers throw away their food, Gophers will lose, and Chase might go bye-bye." Emma widened her eyes at this news. "Don't get involved, Rats," she told her teammates. "No matter how much you want to."
"Aw..." Luna pouted as she fiddled with her knife, "That's BORING! I-" She was suddenly knocked out cold with a frying pan held by Dakota. "I've been wanting to do that all day," Dakota chuckled. She gasped as she saw her ragged and muck-stained hair in the pan's reflection. "Sam, be honest," she asked him, "Is my hair bad?"
"Um, nothing a little shampoo won't cure," Sam nervously replied. He ducked at another tomato flying overhead. "Let's get out of here," he decided as he pulled Dakota outside.
"You think we should stop them?" Chef asked Chris.
"Nah, let them go," Chris answered. "This is fun."
"Calm down!" Jane shouted as she, Zoey and Shane tried to avoid the onslaught of supplies. "Come on, guys!" Ripper tossed a frying pan, causing oil to spill and setting the meat Lucas was making ablaze. "AH!" Lucas cried out. "Ahora pagaras!" He took a batch of vegetables and placed them in a plastic bag before tossing them like a grenade. "Okay, now it's getting out of control," Chris decided. He then pulled out a walkie-talkie. "Engage 'Operation Protest', over." Chef, Oliver and Derrick pulled out a fire hose and blasted the Gophers and Frogs with high-pressure water, effectively stopping the fight. "Is it over?" Phoebe squeaked out as she was curled up in a ball and shaking with fright.
"Alright, my pathetic chefs," Chris announced, "Thanks to your fun food fight, we've ran out of time to do this challenge. Not that it matters, considering the Gophers and Frogs don't have any dishes to judge."
"Nice going, Little Red Riding Hood," Keith scolded to Laney. She simply took a tomato and squished it in his face. Jane and Shane couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Toda esa carne desperdiciada," Lucas moaned, "Por la mano de dios. Por que?"
"Gonna make this quick," Chris decided. "Since the Rats and Bears still have something resembling something edible, they win by default. Gophers and Frogs, I'll see you both at tonight's elimination ceremony." The Rats and Bears started to celebrate while the Gophers and Frogs moaned in response.
Later that evening, the Gophers and Frogs were seated at the campfire ceremony, with the Gophers on the left side and the Frogs on the right side. "Thanks to you two turning a relaxing challenge into an all-out brawl," Chris began, "You're here now."
"Corey and Helen," Chef said, "You were the direct cause of why the food fight started."
Confessional: Helen (Screaming Gophers)
"But I wasn't... No, that's not how... Oh, I hope I get a chance to talk things out with Corey and Laney. Their friendship garden was close to blooming!"
End Confessional
"Carly," Chef continued, "People still consider you pretty useless to the team." Carly could only sigh in response. "Laney," Chef continued, "You were the one to throw first, causing the food fight." Laney was about to say something. "We know," Sol cut off. "Blockhead Corey, the caveman, blah blah blah. We get it!"
"And Mike," Chef continued.
"Me?" Mike gulped. "Why might I get eliminated?"
"For trying to serve bear meat. What kind of idiot does that? Really?"
"POZVOL'TE MNE DOBRAT'SYA DO ETOGO SUKINOGO SYNA!" Helga yelled out as Jasmine, Brick and Nikki struggled to hold her back. "YA SVERNU YEMU CHERTOVU SHEYU ZA TO, CHTO ON SDELAL!"
"I think she's still mad," Samey meekly noted.
"You think, genius?" Keith scoffed.
"Just get to voting," Chris ordered.
Confessional: Heather (Screaming Gophers)
"Duh!"
Confessional: Trent (Screaming Gophers)
"Dude messed up."
Confessional: Helen (Screaming Gophers)
"Sorry, Carly. I hope this vote is enough."
Confessional: Bryan (Screaming Gophers)
"Ta-ta, Corey and Laney."
Confessional: Rose (Screaming Gophers)
"Gotta go with Corey, if only to save Carly."
Confessional: Echo (Screaming Gophers)
"The perfect chance to make that chameleon jump out of his skin a tad."
Confessional: Sol (Frogs of Death)
"Something about all this is fishy. I'm gonna vote for that vixen Valerie. I bet she had a role in whatever happened with Laney."
Confessional: Laney (Frogs of Death)
"Only because I can't vote for Corey."
Confessional: Nikki (Frogs of Death)
"Bear meat? Really, dude?"
Confessional: Valerie (Frogs of Death)
"Two birds with one stone."
End Confessionals
"We have the votes," Chris announced as he held up two plates of marshmallows. "The following Gophers and Frogs are safe. Leshawna, Brick, Jasmine, Izzy, Cameron, Sierra, Cody, Helga, Rodney, Rose, Lucas, Anne-Maria, Topher, Lacey, Helen, Shane, Nikki, Sarah, Trent, Amy, Samey, Owen, Beth, Zoey, Zee, Lindsay, Max, Jane, Phoebe, Gwen, Chase, Scarlett, Ripper, Echo, Sol, Keith and Heather. Also safe with one vote are Bryan, Valerie and 'Smart' Damien."
"Aw, man!" 'Smart' Damien groaned as he snapped his fingers.
"A vote for me?" Bryan gasped in surprise. "But...but why?"
"Maybe it was just an accident," Cody pointed out.
"Yeah... Yeah, nothing to fret about."
Confessional: Bryan (Screaming Gophers)
"Let me guess: Echo thought she could catch me off-guard by voting for me. But I was aware of her little plan. Thank you, spy phone in the confessional." He snickered.
Confessional: Echo (Screaming Gophers)
She groaned in frustration. "Damn it, Bryan!"
End Confessionals
"The final marshmallows for the team," Chris announced, "And they go to..." Carly and Mike got nervous looks while Corey and Laney shot each other hateful looks. "..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...Carly and Mike."
"What?!" Corey and Laney protested after Carly and Mike grabbed the last marshmallows. The two musicians started to fight with each other. "Chef," Chris said. Chef simply grabbed the duo by their shirts and carried them off. "Asshole," Laney spat out.
"Dumb-ass," Corey whipped back.
"Brainless."
"Midget."
"Useless."
"Idiot."
"Immature."
"Wrathful." Chef had carried Corey and Laney down the Dock of Shame when- "WAIT!" a voice shouted, making him stop. He turned to see Helen running up to him. "What are you doing, girlie?" he scolded. "I'm taking care of this trash here!"
"Could I just ask for a minute to talk to them?" Helen begged. "Please?"
"Oh, fine. Just one." Chef dropped the musicians and headed to the Boat of Losers. "What do you want?" Laney spat out. "Wasn't enough that you fucked up in the kitchen?"
"I swear that was a complete accident!" Helen defended. "I don't like Corey that way! Look, I am really sorry if I ruined things for you. I was hoping we could've talked after the challenge and you and Corey could've become friends again after that misunderstanding you guys had. But..." Laney's angry expression softened a little before turning to face Corey. "Core?" she questioned.
"Minute's up, Avril Lavigne," Chef barked out as he pulled Laney and Corey onto the Boat of Losers. He drove the two musicians off. "Was what she said...true?" Laney asked Corey. "Core!"
"I'm...I'm sorry, Laney," Corey sighed after a lengthy pause. "I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. The truth is...ever since that fight we had, I could never forgive myself. No matter how hard I tried to mask it with my attitude."
"I...guess I should apologize, too. I've known you since we were kids. I should've known you'd react like that."
"Don't say that. It's not your fault. I'm not one to control your life. So...could you forgive this knucklehead?" Laney looked down before lifting her head up again, showing a slight smile. Corey smiled in response before the two embraced each other in a hug. "I've missed this, Core," Laney sighed.
"Same here, Lanes," Corey replied as the Boat of Losers drove off into the sunset. Back at the cabins, Valerie was fixing her bed near the window. "Don't you find it a little odd about what happened today?" a disguised voice asked from outside, catching her attention.
"Who is this?" Valerie demanded. "Paul, if that's you..."
"I'm not that oil-covered idiot, but less about my identity. What's important is just how Midget and her ex-friend got cut. I'm thinking you got some juicy info on them and exploited it."
"How the hell did you know about that?! If you even breathe a word of this..."
"Oh, the how doesn't concern me in the slightest. It's where. Did you think it was maybe a bit too easy to find that info out? Like it was spoon-fed to you by a boy in a polo shirt?"
"That weakling Bryan? Please. He couldn't trick a duck into quacking."
"That's simply what he wants you to assume as he keeps his facade up. You think he's your puppet when in reality, he's your puppeteer pulling at your strings."
"You're wrong, whoever you are. You-" Valerie poked her head out the window and looked across the yard but saw no one. She growled before slamming the window shut. However, had she looked straight below, she would've spotted Echo, who simply had a smug smirk across her face. "Try getting out of this one, Bryan," she whispered as she stood up and walked off.
"Oh, she's good!" Chris chuckled as he watched the scene from the studio tent. "Cam the teams survive one night under one roof? Will Carly be able to prove her worth to the Gophers? And will Dean's luck ever turn around? Doubt that last one..."
"Hey!" Dean protested off-screen.
"But find out the answers to these questions and more next time on Total...Drama...Island!"
Votes:
Screaming Gophers:
Voted for Corey: Owen, Gwen, Heather, Trent, Lindsay, Beth, Bryan, Izzy, Leshawna, Carly, Lucas, Sarah, Lacey, Max, Rose, Cody
Voted for Carly: Corey, Helen, Chase
Voted for Bryan: Echo
Frogs of Death:
Voted for Laney: Sierra, Valerie, Cameron, Zoey, Anne-Maria, Mike, Scarlett, Jane, Brick, Topher, Amy, Samey, Ripper, Zee, Phoebe, Shane, Rodney, Jasmine, Keith
Voted for Mike: Laney, Nikki, Helga
Voted for Valerie: Sol
Voted for 'Smart' Damien: 'Smart' Damien
Eliminated: Corey (16-3-1), Laney (19-3-1-1)
100) Caleb (Toxic Rats)
99) Staci (Toxic Rats)
98) B (Toxic Rats)
97) Axel (Frogs of Death)
96) Elias (Screaming Gophers)
95) Eva (Confused Bears)
94) Olivia (Screaming Gophers)
93/92) Katie/Sadie (Confused Bears)
91) Noah (Confused Bears)
90) Justin (Screaming Gophers
89) Nichelle (Toxic Rats)
88) Lauren (Confused Bears)
87) Dean (Confused Bears)
86) Alan (Screaming Gophers)
85) Leonard (Toxic Rats)
84) 'Dumb' Damien (Screaming Gophers)
83/82) Corey/Laney (Screaming Gophers)/(Frogs of Death)
Episode 17! So, this is another of LaCuevademisgustos' challenges from Chaotic Camp, which is a bit of a twist on TDI's cooking challenge. And it was kinda tricky working the still-large cast in different sections, but I made it work and tried to have each group a moment or two to shine.
Now, onto the eliminations. Corey and Laney were booted thanks to both Bryan and Valerie's tricks getting them to fight. However, the musical duo managed to have a little reconciliation as they rode the Boat of Losers. But it seems that Echo intends to make some waves in their plans.
This episode also helped with quite a few interactions, like Melody, Sol and Samey; Zoey and Sarah; Anthony and Bowie; Bryan and Valerie; among quite a few others.
The scene at the beginning was actually a suggestion from fellow writer TheRiverian.
The song Destiny sang was "Higher" by The Score, and the song Rodney sang was "First Time" by Lifehouse.
Next episode will reveal some awkward truth before everyone goes through a most interesting relay. Until next time, enjoy and have a happy Halloween!