Up the creek

POV. Third person

Chris is in his usual spot on the dock, "Last time on Total Drama Island, the competitors were forced to conquer their deepest darkest fears", everyone is doing challenges throughout the island, "not all of them succeed. But others surprised the group and faced their fears head on. In a shocking twist Tyler let the Bass down when he was too chicken to face the chickens, Get it? Hahahaha" Tyler is paralyzed inside a pen with chickens, "and in a dramatic soap opera-style farewell, Tyler said goodbye to his girlfriend, admitting that he was no better than his supposed rival. With the promise that they would meet again, he left the island", Tyler leaves in the boat while Lindsay watches him confused, "Can the Bass make a dramatic turnaround and move forward? Will Lindsay find someone better now that Tyler is gone? Is that Courtney running around camp?", he said as he squinted and saw the girl running in the distance, "find out today on TOTAL... DRAMA... ISLAND!".

-0-

POV. Bridgette

I woke up to hearing someone get up, "Courtney?" Why was she up so early?

"I'm going for a run," was all she said. She then left the cabin.

I exchanged glances with Sadie.

Confessional.

Bridgette

"I'm worried about Courtney, we keep losing challenges and I'm afraid this might be affecting her in a negative way. She's been very moody and has started running early in the morning, I hope she doesn't overexert herself too much."

Courtney

"Five losses and only one victory. That is the count of the Killer Bass. At the rate things are going this team will disappear before the merger arrives and I refuse to accept that fate, this challenge will be won by the Bass, I swear! on Duncan's grave!"

"Pff, if you wish, I will live longer than you, princess."

*Thump* "Don't listen to my confession you damn caveman!" she said as she hit the cabin.

"Ha!"

End of Confessional.

-0-

POV. Cody

I stood on top of a giant version of the cursed idol from Boney Island. Alien me, the robot Alejandro, the zebra and Mr. Coconut were standing on the edges playing big drums. Before me was Owenzilla, Sasquatchanakwa stood in the center of a circle drawn on the idol's head and spoke.

"There is only one place left for the drama order," he said.

"Drama", the others repeated.

"The winner will be decided, in a duel to the death with fish," trout appeared in our hands, "only one can remain," Owenzilla and I looked at each other and gulped, "Fight!"

A gong rang and we both ran towards each other with our trouts raised, "AAAAHHHH", we started hitting each other in the faces with them, I would take a hit and he would return it and so on for a while.

But then Owenzilla missed a blow, spinning three hundred and sixty degrees, and when he came back, the blow was so hard that it threw me off the idol into the dark void below., "AAAAAHHHHH".

"AHHH", I got out of bed scared, but when I realized that it had only been a dream, I relaxed. I have to remember not to let Beth take that idol, a curse is the last thing I need right now.

Today will be the challenge of the excursion to Boney Island and after that... hunting.

I shook my head trying not to think about it, there was still a long way to go until that day, I would figure it out in due time.

I got out of bed and went outside. When I came out I saw Courtney in front of the Bass hut stretching. She had started running since the gelatin thing, she must be trying to forget the humiliation of chickening out when they were already so bad.

"Hello Courts," I called, but she just glanced at me, huffed, and went back to stretching.

It may seem like I was unfair to the Bass, I'm playing with an advantage after all, but given the nature of the challenges, that was just another variable in the grand scheme of things, this show had super geniuses like Cameron and Scarlett, without mention Dawn and her supernatural abilities, they still lost to scammers and liars. In this program it mattered very little what you had going for you, there was no 100% guarantee that you were always going to be in control of the game.

The Bass had lost until now, but that caused their team to be smaller and more select, those that remained were now all skilled in their own way and I do not doubt that they would soon begin to take advantage of that.

Seeing that I wouldn't get anywhere with her, I started walking towards the main lodge.

"How do you do it?", but I was stopped by Courtney's voice. She was now looking straight at me and looked like she had sold her soul to the devil for asking someone from the rival team a question like that. She's seriously competitive, "How do you guys stay so close? I've seen the people you have, how incompatible you are, but somehow you manage to work together, how do you do it?"

I debated answering her, I would be helping the rival team if I gave her an answer, it would be best to refuse to answer her and leave... but that is not my nature. Cody is an optimistic and perverted boy who is always willing to help a lady or a friend.

Now I am much more than that, but that is the foundation of who I was and despite all the things I have done and plan to do, I want to believe that my foundation remains the same.

"It's not always that simple, my team always seems ready to jump on each other's throats at the slightest provocation every two minutes."

"...What's stopping them from getting to that?"

I guess me, "Sorry, I can't tell you that, but, I can give you some advice that has worked pretty well for me," she gave me her full attention, "...listen and see."

She blinked in confusion, "Listen and see? That's all? That doesn't seem like such good advice to me."

I smiled, you'd be surprised how much you really miss, when you're the one who always stands in front and gives the orders. "Sometimes you just need to pay attention to who and what you have around you."

She considered my words, and it seemed that a memory came to her mind, then she smiled as she covered her right eye, "Like the girl with an eye infection?", she asked me humorously.

I opened my eyes wide, that took me by surprise, "yes, find your girl with one eye and help her."

She rolled her eyes, "dummy, thank you still, really, you didn't have to help me."

"I didn't help you, I was just rambling to myself, and you happened to be listening to me," we both laughed at that, after saying goodbye we went our separate ways.

-0-

We were now standing on one of the shores of the island, while Chris explained what the challenge would be. Which consisted of the infamous excursion to Boney Island.

As he was talking I noticed that our team had one more boat than last time, so there would be two Gophers in each boat.

Today would be Trent's best chance to get close to Gwen. I wasn't going to interfere with them, I know things didn't end well in their relationship, but at least they handled it in a good way when they broke up, besides, at this point it wouldn't be any use to try to separate them, they started going bad in Action and it was because of something personal for Trent, so that was out of my control.

"Move campers, move!", Chris told us, we all started running towards the canoes, "oh wait, one more thing I should mention, legend has it if you take anything off the island, you'll be cursed forever", He said in an exaggerated manner, and even a flash of lightning was heard in the background, scaring several people. Don't worry Chris I don't plan on letting that happen.

"Yeah! A cursed island, woo hoo!", Owen said excitedly, although I'm not really sure why. No one else shared his joy.

"Now get in your canoes and let's have fun".

We went to the beach to choose a canoe, I stayed a little behind, then I saw Beth arrive.

"Hey Beth, where were you?".

"Sorry I had to go to the bathroom".

"I see, did Chris tell you about the challenge?".

"Oh yeah, it's a canoe trip, right?"

"Yes, but to a cursed island, don't take anything you find there or you could be cursed, Chris warned us."

"Oh wow, I'll keep that in mind, thanks," with that she left to find Lindsay. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"CODY!".

"Ah, Ouch!", I fell to the beach from the stairs with a weight on my back, "Be my canoe partner! I always wanted to sail with a mountaineer" a hyperactive Izzy told me. The others looked away, not wanting to get involved in this, traitors.

I thought about it a little and I had no reason to refuse, it's not like she was going to let me go anyway, "it's okay I'll be your partner, but you have to be more careful, if it weren't for the sand that would have been very dangerous". I said to her, she just nodded and ran towards one of the canoes. Looks like I won't have to worry about getting a partner anymore.

I looked at the others, it looks like Noah paired up with LeShawna, I hope she doesn't kill him. Trent was taking his canoe to the water next to Gwen. I laughed a little when I saw how Owen managed to take Heather in his canoe. Lindsay and Beth were together. Looks like that's all of them.

On the Bass side, Courtney and Bridgette teamed up, and this time Duncan accompanied Geoff, leaving Harold and Sadie alone.

I approached the canoe that Izzy was trying to move, "I'll help you," between the two of us we were able to put it in the water.

"Full speed sailor!" she said from the front.

"When this canoe rocks the tide comes in! ~" Owen sang next to us, then Heather hit him in the head with her paddle.

"Do you think they'll get along?" Izzy asked me.

"They get along wonderfully," I said, trying not to laugh.

...

Finally, we were all ready, Chris stood on the beach with a gun, "On your marks, get set, go!", he shot down a bird, "that's gonna provoke some angry emails."

This is how the challenge officially began.

-0-

"And then these bushmen taught us how to properly catch and cook crocodile as well as koala", said Izzy.

She had started telling me the crazy stories she told LeShawna the first time. I know she said everything was a lie except the militia thing, but the truth is that it's hard to know if she was lying or not given her history. And even if she was making them up, they were pretty funny stories.

I started to think as time went by, it's funny when I think about it, but Izzy and I were the ones who stood out the most during this challenge and now we were sharing a canoe. However, she left in this challenge as well and I left next, in retrospect it would almost seem like a goodbye.

"Hello, Izzy calling Cody, It's Cody home? Can he come to play?", asked Izzy, who was leaning from the front of the canoe waving her hand in front of my face.

"Oh, I'm sorry".

"You just stared into space, you do that a lot during challenges, especially when there are girls around to stalk, but that last bit is more because you're a bit of a pervert, I'm sorry to tell you Cody, but I doubt you'll be lucky enough to catch another girl in the same position you've done to me...twice, hahaha."

I blushed a little, "yeah, why does that keep happening?" I asked, annoyed by her teasing.

"Who knows? But now you seemed just lost. Is something wrong with you?"

"I was just remembering someone... You know? that someone actually looked a lot like you."

"Oh, really? Tell me". She said, intrigued.

"She was called 'E-Scope', she invented it herself, abbreviating the word Kaleidoscope."

"Hahahaha, she sounds like someone fun," and crazy.

Before I knew it I had immersed myself in the memories, "We weren't that close, but we had two friends in common, she was always very unpredictable, she used to drive people crazy and she also told good stories, no matter what trouble she got into, It was difficult to hate her... but one day our group of friends separated, everyone took their own path and she... just disappeared one day without a trace," I said dejectedly, I hadn't thought about it much until now, but I never knew. What happened to her, she knew where the others were and what they were doing, but Izzy... it was as if the earth had swallowed her, I often wonder what she was doing, before I... well, came to the camp, what would the others be doing?"

"..."

"Sometimes I wonder, if no one had broken up, would she still be there? Would we have gotten closer? Would there be more people trying to find her? Would that have changed anything?"

I sank into melancholy without realizing it, I wasn't as close to Izzy as Noah, Owen or Eva were, but that doesn't mean I wasn't worried about her well-being too, like I was about everyone else. Before I knew it, warm arms wrapped around my neck and my vision was filled with curly orange. Izzy was giving me a big hug.

"Izzy?".

"You're crying," she told me without letting go.

I didn't realize that during my story I had shed some tears, "oh, I didn't realize," I said, wiping my eyes. Talking about that time brought me some nostalgia and reminded me of how badly things ended.

She pulled away to look at me, but didn't break away, "Don't worry, Izzy is your unpredictable friend! And you have a lot more friends here too!" she told me with her characteristic humor, "besides, I know you can work things out with your old friends, you are very smart after all and also a mountaineer," she said while patting me on the head, I don't know what it had to do with that last part, but I guess she has a point. Izzy gave me another pretty tight hug; she was very warm.

I smiled, her words made me feel better and forget my problems. I hugged her back, "thank you Izzy, you don't know how much I needed to hear that."

"Izzy always knows what her friends need", I'm not going to argue with that.

-0-

POV. Noah

Now we were rowing towards a supposedly cursed island, what a thrill. At least I didn't have to share a canoe with someone annoying.

I could see Owen in his canoe, Heather didn't look happy at all to be with him, I'm glad for that. Then I saw Cody and Izzy chatting animatedly, but for some reason Izzy gave him a hug out of nowhere, then he hugged her back, wow, that guy seriously doesn't waste his time, but Izzy is not the first option I would think of, honestly, she scares me a little.

"Tell me LeShawna, what do you think of Cody?" I asked my canoe partner, I know Owen told me that he is not a bad person, but he is still someone very mysterious and I want to know why.

"What do I think? Are you implying that I have feelings for the scrawny lumberjack boy?"

"I don't mean it in that sense, I mean in general."

"Uhm... well, he seems like someone quite nice to me, not to mention that his help and ideas have been very useful to us so far, yes, the boy is a bit perverted, but it hasn't bothered me at any time, I think he could have something for Heather, he usually hangs around that white girl a lot, I don't understand why, personally I think he could get something better," she said, mocking the queen bee, at least we have something in common.

"So Heather, huh?" I've also seen them together quite a bit, could she know something?

"Why so curious, egghead?"

"It's nothing, he just gave me some advice that helped me once, so I wanted to see what other people think of him."

"Yes, he tends to do that a lot, I wonder how he knows exactly what to say at the right moment."

I looked back at the other pair, who were once again chatting animatedly, "yes, me too."

-0-

POV. Courtney

Bridgette had been telling me about her love problems during our trip, from what I understood, Geoff was trying to be romantic with her, but it just made him seem creepy.

"Bridgette, I don't have much experience with this dating thing, but maybe you should just be direct with each other."

"You think?".

"Well, at least it's clear to me that Geoff is bad at being romantic, so invite him to do things you like, instead of going around each other so much, or else I guarantee that that strange craft will not be the last".

She winced at that, "okay, I'll try that, thanks Courtney."

"You're welcome".

"You know, you look a lot better than you did this morning, did something interesting happen?"

"Nothing out of this world, a friend just gave me some good advice", in the distance I could see something interesting, I would have to remember it for later in the challenge.

-0-

POV. Duncan

"Dude that's creepy, better be direct with her," I can't believe he gave the Malibu girl a weird craft, this guy knows nothing about being romantic.

"Are you sure that's the best way?"

"Believe me, it's the only thing you have, the rest doesn't work for you."

"Ouch, that's tough dude, okay I'll try", thank goodness.

-0-

POV. Gwen

"It's amazing how calm this challenge has been so far, calm waters, clear skies and even Noah is doing something," Trent said.

We looked at Noah and LeShawna's canoe and sure enough Noah was struggling to paddle, "Don't worry, Chris wouldn't plan this trip if he didn't know that at least three of us would end up injured... or dead."

"Hehehe, good point, at least I'm having a relaxing canoe trip with you."

I blushed a little at his comment.

Confessional.

Gwen

"Trent is very sweet, but I don't know how to tell him that I like him, I don't want to make a mistake and ruin things, he's the first boy that doesn't drive me completely crazy.

End of Confessional.

"What is this?" Trent asked, I looked around us.

"Hey guys, fog is normal on lakes, right?" I asked the others, hoping it was true.

"Not unless it's an enchanted lake," Izzy replied, there goes my hope, "Do you think it's an enchanted lake? Maybe a fairy will appear. Hello lake fairy! I want to be your friend!"

"If I had to guess, we're probably close to Bone Island," Cody replied, this already gave me a bad feeling.

The fog was getting thicker and thicker. For a moment we couldn't see anything at all.

But then we passed through the fog bank and there it was, an island with a large skull-shaped mountain staring back at us. At that moment I could only think one thing, "ugh, this sucks."

-0-

POV. Cody

We finally reached the island and disembarked, "okay, did you see that skull?" Izzy said excitedly.

"Eh, I'd rather not, thanks," Noah said nervously.

"How cool is that? it's like this place is haunted or something," that's because it is, Izzy.

"Let's just get this over with," Gwen said as she and Trent lifted their canoe, Izzy and I doing the same, as did everyone else.

...

Both teams ran through the forest head to head. The Bass were fewer than us, so they had an advantage in this. All around us were skulls strung on stakes, I guess Chris put them up, after all he admitted that he was responsible for the quicksand.

A log fell near Gwen and eyes began to appear in the darkness of the forest. Yep, this place is as scary as I remember.

Giant beavers came out of the bushes, "Those are giant woolly beavers! They're supposed to be extinct!" Noah shouted in terror. It amazes me what nature is capable of.

Confessional.

Chris

"A remnant of the Pleistocene era, the wooly beaver is a day active rodent indigenous to Boney Island, oh yeah, and they are meat eaters".

End of Confessional.

Our team fled in a random direction. I think I saw a bear scratching its back against a tree.

We came to a pool under a cliff that was full of nests.

"Dead end!" Owen shouted.

We gathered at the pond and just like last time, they didn't follow us.

"Hey, they're leaving," Trent said.

"Did someone packed a change of underwear," everyone laughed at Owen's comment, but I just looked up.

"Hey guys, maybe we should get out of here, now!" Everyone looked around, we were surrounded by monstrous pterodactyl-like geese.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!", we all ran back the way we came.

"Cody, do something!" Heather shouted.

"Why me?".

"Maybe because you always have something up your sleeve," Noah said.

"Good point," I took the bread I brought with me from my pocket and threw it at those geese.

"Well done, Cody!" Izzy told me from the front.

"Why did you have bread in your pockets?" LeShawna asked me.

"Chris said it would be a two-hour walk, I thought someone might be hungry."

"I get you dude," Owen told me.

We continued on our way and came across the Bass.

"Come on, the race isn't over yet, we still have to burn stuff," Izzy said excitedly.

...

We saw the Bass take the right path so we decided to go left. I was looking at the ground trying to find the quicksand trap. The problem was that it looked like... well, sand.

"Ah, guys, don't want to panic here, but I'm shrinking", said Trent, shit.

Confessional.

Trent

"Right, how am I supposed to know what quicksand looks like? It looks just like sand!".

Chris

"Hahahaha, can you believe they fell for that? Hahahaha, I set it up, but I didn't think anyone would walk into it hahahaha that's just great".

End of Confessional.

"Oh, oh", Trent said as he sank.

"Stay away, or you'll be trapped too," I said before Lindsay fell into the trap. I pulled out the rope I was hoping I wouldn't have to use in this situation and tossed one end to Trent, who was still up to his chest, "catch," he took it, "Owen," then I gave the other end to our strongest boy.

"Pull!", we all screamed.

He pulled the rope hard, pulling Trent out of the sand, "ugh, thanks bro, that was close."

"We have to go or the Bass are going to get ahead of us," Heather said, hurrying things along.

-0-

POV. Courtney

"Careful Geoff," I said before he tripped over a thorn bush.

"Oh, thank you, I could have lost my leg," that's a bit of an exaggeration.

"What's wrong princess? You've been acting different all day, you haven't even yelled at us once, I'm starting to get scared," Duncan said mocking me.

I just rolled my eyes, "I'm just taking someone's advice and trying to be more attentive."

"I think you're doing well," Bridgette replied.

"Thank you, now let's continue, we have a challenge to win."

-0-

POV. Cody

Finally we arrived at the beach and we already had the campfire lit thanks to the camping lighter I brought, now we were just adding wood to it. I walked away a little and started searching through the bushes on the beach.

"Come on, it has to be around here... yes, I have it", it was the cursed idol that cursed us the first time, I don't know for sure if our losses were really due to this thing, but at least now I will be sure that we will not be cursed.

"What is that flashy, creepy thing?" Izzy appeared out of nowhere behind me with her head resting on my shoulder, giving me a start, I swear this woman is trying to kill me.

"It's an island idol, maybe it's cursed."

"Cool, can I keep it?"

"What? No, it could curse us all," I should have known she would ask for something like that.

"Oh, come on..." she smiled evilly, "if you give it to me... I'll let you see my breasts again," she said with his hands on the hem of her crop top.

I opened my eyes wide and blushed as I looked at her dressed chest remembering that time. And for a moment I actually considered giving her her idol, I know my 16 year old self wouldn't have thought twice.

Confessional.

Cody

"There is a moment in every man's life when he must make a difficult decision, not knowing if it is the right one or not, I just hope mine was."

End of Confessional.

I closed my eyes, "I'm sorry Izzy," I turned around and threw the idol into the woods with my best throw. He went quite far and got lost in the undergrowth.

"Boo, you're a party pooper," she said annoyed, but then smiled again, "but I still love you," that's an awesome mood change, "well, I have to finish my fire starter, I'll see you at the campfire.", she left.

I went towards the bonfire. Izzy can certainly be quite intense and sassy, but I won't lie and say that I don't enjoy her antics, because I certainly did, plus I really like talking to her, I wonder if we would have become as close as I was with Owen or Noah, if she hadn't traded places with Sierra on Team Amazon. I guess I'll never know.

...

I got to the campfire and saw Trent standing by some rocks, time to help a friend in need, "Hey Trent, can we talk?"

"Sure bro, what's going on?"

I pretended to make sure no one heard, "I know you like Gwen, but you're having trouble taking the next step, right?"

"What? Is it so obvious?" he asked me in surprise.

No, "I'm afraid so, but don't worry, I came to tell you that you should ask her out, I overheard her talking to LeShawna by accident and she mentioned that she has feelings for you," it wasn't true, but he didn't need to know that.

"Really? Do you think she'll accept?"

"I'm sure...but don't tell her I was listening, she's still mad at me for what I said when she was buried," it wasn't a lie.

"There's no problem dude, I owe you one for this," he told me happily, it seems that this is resolved.

While we were talking, the Bass arrived and started their campfire thanks to Duncan's lighter.

"Quick, we have to gather more firewood," Heather told us, that's what we started doing.

-0-

POV. Courtney

The Gophers were making their fire bigger, "we need more wood," I told them, they all split up to look for it.

I thought about going to help, but it was better that someone watch that our fire doesn't go out. While I waited Harold came running, With our oars in his hands! Stupid nerd.

"Harold, no!" I quickly tackled him to the ground, "we need those oars to get back."

"Oh I'm sorry, I think I was distracted," he apologized.

"Go get more wood," he did, I approached Duncan, "I need you to do something for me."

He raised his eyebrow, "What is it about?"

-0-

POV. Cody

"This has to do the trick, it's a handmade firestarter I made with some tree sap and sand, stand back guys, this is gonna be big," Izzy said with a crazy look on her face, oh shit.

"Hey, Izzy, aren't you a little-?"

She threw it.

*BOOOOOOOM*

"Uff", the explosion was so big that Izzy came flying at me and knocked us both down, "close", in retrospect, getting closer was not one of my brightest ideas.

"Yoo hoo, we have our firebuilding winner, point for the Gophers", Chris said from his helicopter. I really didn't see the point of that, that point was of no use, the race was decided by the team that reached Wawanakwa first and Chris didn't give us any advantage, the Bass had run out of oars, which are intact now.

I looked at Izzy in my arms covered in soot, "Are you okay?" She didn't seem to have anything serious.

"Cough," she coughed out smoke, "don't worry I'm fine," she said smiling.

"Where did you learned to do that?",asked Heather.

"Oh you know, I spent a summer training with the reserves, yeah, I got into some trouble there and blew up the kitchen by acident hehe which is why the RCMP are still all over my butt", she said as she clung to Heather and scared her, "I'm so totally awol". That's the only thing she said today that I can say is true.

...

Both teams headed to the boats and I noticed that the three Bass canoes were tied together with vines, but I didn't say anything, it was probably Courtney's plan, I wonder what she's up to.

We got into the boats and started sailing ahead of them, my team didn't say anything, perhaps thinking they had already given up.

But just in case, better to distract Izzy, "tell me Izzy, why did you want the idol? Chris warned us that you could be cursed if you take anything from Boney Island."

"I know, doesn't that sound exciting?", I don't know what I was expecting, "but someone rejected my offer, knowing how perverted you are, I was sure you would accept, I wonder if I should have offered to touch them instead."

"I probably would have rejected it anyway," although I'm not so sure, "And what makes you think I'm a pervert?"

"Well you've been seeing me naked", that was your fault!, "and you also asked me to spy on Heather to find out things about her body", you told me without me asking!

"Ugh, you know what, think what you want about me, it's a wasted effort trying to deny it to you," it's not like she's one to judge.

"Awww, but I don't mind that you're a pervert, it's what makes Cody, Cody, plus everyone is a little pervert deep down, although you don't hide it hahahaha."

"Just paddle," I said rolling my eyes.

-0-

POV. Courtney

"Why are our canoes tied together?" Bridgette asked.

"Don't look at me Malibu, Princess here asked me to," Duncan replied. Thanks for giving me the credit, I thought sarcastically.

"There is no time for explanations, get into the canoes and start paddling together," they did and while we were in the water, I looked for what I had seen before.

"Ah, Courtney, what are you looking for?" Sadie asked me.

"Just give me a minute," come on, appear, appear, there!, "quickly, everyone row in that direction."

"Courtney, those are rapids, we could hit a rock and sink," Geoff said fearfully.

"He's right princess, it's not worth it," Duncan supported.

I stood in front of the canoe, "listen, I know I failed you last time, and what I'm asking of you is very dangerous and maybe not worth it, but please, this one time, I ask you to trust me. I know we can." do it, we need to win this challenge," I pleaded with them.

Everyone stood there thinking about their options. Then Bridgette put her paddle in the water.

"We have to do it," she said with determination.

"Oh what the hell, I'm not going to live forever, I say we do it," Duncan said, everyone joined in rowing, I felt relieved.

"Alright guys, we have to end this streak of bad luck!".

We headed towards the rapids and quickly distanced ourselves from the other team, the currents were turbulent, if it weren't for our canoes being attached, we probably would have sunk.

"Rock!" I used the oar to get around it.

"Rock!" Duncan diverted us to the other side.

So we spent some time dodging rocks and logs, waiting for it to finally end.

...

And when it finally did, we saw the dock in the distance and not a single sign of the Gophers, our makeshift canoe raft slowly floated to the edge of the dock and fell apart. We all had our mouths open.

Chris was standing there smiling, "I don't believe it! The Bass actually won a challenge! And in the most incredible way!"

I couldn't believe it, we really won, we started celebrating while the other team arrived.

-0-

POV. Cody

"What? How did they beat us? We were ahead of them," Heather complained.

"If I had to guess they used the rapids, which could have been a suicide," Noah said.

"Well, it looks like they beat us," I sighed.

"Awww, don't be discouraged Cody, mommy Izzy will comfort you."

"Uh, I'm not-", before I could finish she put my face in her chest and stroked my head.

"Wow, someone was lucky today," LeShawna said while Noah laughed.

I have to admit, this didn't feel bad at all, "those fish are so lucky my license to kill is expired", ok, change my mind, someone save me.

Izzy let go of me as Chris started to speak, "Gophers, I'll see you at the campfire".

-0-

We were at the bonfire ceremony, in the end we all agreed that we wouldn't choose together who to vote for, since our loss wasn't really anyone's fault, I know Heather would try to eliminate someone without telling me, but this time it didn't really matter.

"Gophers, I won't say that I'm not happy to have you here, seriously, this show was starting to get boring and predictable. But I spent a lot to carve the names of the Bass on those seats and now I feel stupid," it seems perfect to me, "I hope you feel a little empathy for your poor host," he said melodramatically.

"Solo ve al grano", le dijo Gwen.

"Ugh, okay, geez...Cody," he tossed me the first marshmallow, "...Noah... ...Gwen... ...Lindsay... ...Trent... ...Beth... ...LeShawna... ...Izzy".

There were only two marshmallows left, this was between Heather who seemed confident and Owen who was nervous, it seems Heather didn't enjoy her canoe trip with him.

"And the last marshmallow of the night goes to...

...

...

...", Just then a helicopter arrived and pointed a searchlight at Izzy who was sitting next to me.

"Izzy, we know you're down there, you're under arrest", said the helicopter driver.

"Wait, you mean all that trash you were talking about the reserves were true?", Heather asked in surprise.

"Of course, why would I be lying about that? Hahaha", that's what I ask myself. She gave me an unexpected and strong hug goodbye, "Goodbye friend Cody, I promise to write to you," I really doubt it, "see you! You'll never catch me alive! Woo hoo!" she yelled at the helicopter and then ran away, her laughter could be heard in the distance.

Confessional.

Noah

"I didn't see that coming".

End of Confessional.

We all sat there not knowing how to react, "well that wraps that up, night everyone" Chris said.

Goodbye for now Izzy, at least I take comfort in knowing that we will see you sooner rather than later, and that you won't disappear completely this time. I also thank you for the best gift a hormonal teenager could ask for...twice.

-0-

POV. Trent

Gwen was sitting on the dock drawing the night sky, ok this was my chance, "that's an amazing drawing."

"Thank you, since the talent show, I have been inspired to continue."

"Hehehe, well that was a good portrait of Chris you did," she laughed at that.

Ok, I'm ready, "You know, I was wondering if you'd like to go out, you know... you and me," her eyes widened, "uh, you don't have to answer me now, you can-."

"I would love that," she replied smiling, now I was the one with wide eyes.

"That's great," I replied happily.

I sat next to her on the dock, we didn't say anything else, the silence was quite comfortable, despite the sounds of the helicopter in the background, at some point, she leaned on my chest while we looked at the stars together.

-0-

POV. Third person

Chris appeared between Gwen and Trent, scaring them, "and thus concludes this episode with an unexpected ending."

"Do you mind?" Gwen asked angrily.

"No, not at all," he stood up and continued talking, "Is this Bass victory something temporary or the beginning of a dramatic comeback? Will the army be able to catch Izzy? Will Trent and Gwen's new relationship last? "Wow!"

*Splash*

Gwen pushed Chris off the dock, "you don't know how long I've wanted to do that," she said happily and satisfied.

Chris was floating in the water, "puff, find out next time on TOTAL… DRAMA… ISLAND!", he was splashing around in the water, "Someone throw me a lifesaver!"